A/N: Thanks for so much for all the reviews to date. Very much appreciated! I know my other story is probably more popular but I also very much enjoy writing this as well. I would have liked to update this sooner but I had a pile of exams to mark this week! There may be errors (I don't have anyone to edit and not a lot of time) as a result of my marking workload. So please over look any errors or send me a quick message letting me know where the errors are so I can go back and fix them.

That said. Enjoy!

.

Chapter 4.

Clark climbed out of the jeep groaning. Every muscle in his body ached, even his toes hurt. The heavy knocks he'd endured at the football try outs would no doubt leave a colourful array of bruises over his torso. Chad and his henchmen hadn't taken it easy on him.

But it had been worth it. Just to see the look of astonishment on everyone's faces as he punted the ball between the posts. Nothing had felt so good in a long while.

Pete patted him on the back. "Whoa, Clark, that's twice man, guess the other kick wasn't a fluke."

Chloe hugged him after the try outs. "Lana again?" she'd asked.

He had shook his head. "No, I was thinking of my dad."

She smiled warmly, looking exceptionally pleased about that. "He would have been proud of you."

It had felt as if his father was there, watching over him. It left a painful ache in his heart. One he didn't want to acknowledge in too much depth or detail.

He knew what he'd lost; what it had cost.

Clark made his way up the porch steps, stumbling into the kitchen. He spied the maple pie and note left by his mom.

Thinking of you on this special day. There is a pot roast in the fridge. I won't be home till after 9pm.

Love mom

P.S. Don't tell Lois about the pie.

A smile crossed his face at her thoughtfulness. He longed to tell her about it all, but it could wait till she arrived home. Right now he needed a long hot shower, and something to eat.

The shower did little to ease the soreness. Pulling on a comfortable pair of tracksuit pants, he viewed his chest in the mirror, lightly touching the numerous bruises beginning to appear and wincing. He looked as if he'd been in the boxing ring with Mike Tyson. His mom would freak if she saw this, which she wasn't going to. Reaching for his shirt, a sudden noise from below, almost like a door or drawer slamming, startled him. Was someone breaking into the house? Turning quickly he quietly made his way down the stairs, peering cautiously around the corner. The lounge room was empty. He gazed into the kitchen and there was Lois.

His shoulders slumped in relief. Naturally she would just let herself into the house. And was now helping herself to the Maple pie sitting on the bench.

"Hey thanks, Mrs K," she said to herself, smiling.

"Just help yourself, Lois," he remarked.

"You know me, Clark," she returned with a smirk, not even glancing his way.

He walked, barefoot across the floor till he realised he wasn't wearing a shirt. Stopping in his tracks he went to turn around before Lois did decide to look his way.

"Oh no you don't, Smallville," came her voice.

He sighed and hung his head. Too late.

"I need to inspect the damage."

Oh great, just terrific, last thing he needed was her to see. She would go blabbing to his mom about it. She told her everything.

He heard her footsteps cross the floor, and contemplated making a hasty dash up the stairs, but then there was little point. When Lois was determined to do something; she did it.

He slowly turned around, dreading the worse. Lois eyes skimmed over his chest, her eyes widening.

"Clark," she exclaimed, her eyes meeting with his, "Looks like they used you for a punching bag?"

Before he had a chance to respond, she grabbed him by the arm and dragged him into the kitchen.

"This was that jock, Chad's, doing wasn't it?" she continued, "All because I insulted him so he decided to get payback on you."

Not to mention Chad had seen Lana chatting to him in the school corridor.

She planted her hands on her hips. "Oh I'm going to make him pay, I'll make them all pay, the cowards!"

"No … Lois just leave it, you'll only make it worse," he protested.

She was already in enough trouble as it was.

"Sit on that stool, Clark. I'll patch you up," she ordered in that drill sergeant way of hers.

He sighed and shook his head, there was no point in arguing with her. He'd already leant the futility of that.

"Those bastards!" she muttered as she rifled through her bag. "I'd love nothing more than to bring them down a perch or two, especially Chad with his stupid trendy hair, strutting about the place as if he owns it."

"The girls like his hair," Clark piped up.

She turned to him scowling. "He looks like a prized rooster," she snorted.

She waved a finger at him. "When you make the team, Clark, don't even think about getting a ridiculous haircut like that."

Him trendy, as if. "What makes you think I'll make the team?"

She blinked in disbelief at his words. "Are you serious? You were amazing out there today."

He felt suddenly pleased with himself. "I was?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Don't let it go to your head, Smallville."

With her around that wouldn't be a problem, he mused.

She approached him, a tube of something in her hand. "What's that?"

"My mom had a way with concocting ointments for all sorts of ailments," Lois replied as she unscrewed the lid, "She said it was her gift."

He noted the brief sadness mixed with nostalgia in her eyes. For a moment he found himself wanting to comfort her.

"Anyway," she continued, straightening her shoulders, "It works wonders. I should know, the amount of scraps I was in as a girl."

He could well imagine and the tough façade was back in place. As was the way with Lois.

"So nothing's changed there," he quipped.

"Wow, I didn't know you were a comedian, Smallville," she dryly remarked, a hint of amusement in her hazel eyes.

Watching her dab a generous amount of the ointment on her fingers she glanced up at him. "This won't hurt."

Except his dignity. She had probably seen a lot better physiques than his. He might have toned up a bit and lost some pounds, but he didn't have a six pack, far from it.

Seemingly oblivious to his discomfort, she continued to apply the ointment and her fingers felt nice on his bare skin. He wasn't used to being in such close proximity to a girl, though it was just Lois. Still she had a surprisingly tender touch.

She gently rubbed the ointment on the number of bruises on his chest. Inspected his side, touching the sensitive part of his ribs.

"Stop squirming, Smallville," she snapped.

"It tickles."

She glanced up at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Are you saying you're ticklish?"

"No," he quickly said, with dread.

Uh oh he knew that look. "What about your feet," she began raising an eyebrow.

Before he had a chance to respond, she grabbed one of his feet and began tickling it. He tried to supress the giggles, tried pulling his foot away from her, to no avail. But he was in an awkward position and she had him trapped on that stool. He could hardly escape without ending up on his backside.

"Lois," he admonished, through gasps of escaped laughter. "Stop …"

Much to his relief she did, but she was still inspecting his foot, making him feel self-conscious all over again.

"You have big feet, Smallville."

"I have big everything," he sighed and then his face redden at the implications of those words.

Her eyes, lit with amusement, met his.

He swallowed. "I mean I have big feet and big hands," he stammered, holding his hands up for her to see.

She grabbed hold of his hand, a frown denting her forehead at the swollen knuckles on his third and fourth fingers.

"I should strap those fingers together."

He wasn't half wrong, big hands but also beautiful, oh what he could do with those hands. Mortified she hastily turned around. It was Smallville for Christ's sake! Completely naïve and pure as driven snow. The colour in his cheeks and the embarrassment written all over his face was confirmation of that. Most guys would say that as a pick up line, she mused. Clark wouldn't know the first thing about picking up a girl. It kind of made him endearing. Endearing she snorted to herself, get a grip Lois. Clark was endearing in a brotherly way that's all it was. Grabbing the tape from her bag she turned around, her eyes resting on his handsome face. His damp hair hung in waves around his face, brushing the nape of his neck. It was curlier than usual. He smelled of soap and spicy men's deodorant that was a nice mix. He glanced her way, a look of vulnerability of his face. He'd obviously had little exposure to the opposite sex, she mused.

"Can I put a shirt on, Lois?"

She shook her head. "Not done with you yet, Clark."

He looked so awkward sitting there on that kitchen stool; cute. Biting down on her lip she took the few steps that separated them, and taking hold of his hand she strapped up his fingers.

"You mom's maple pie was amazing," she chattered.

"I wouldn't know, I haven't had the chance to taste it," he dryly remarked.

She glanced at him. Poor Clarkie, how she loved to tease him. Though she had no idea why?

"Hmm, I saw the note too, 'don't tell Lois'."

Apprehension stole over his face.

"Don't worry Smallville, try outs are over and what you eat is entirely up to you now."

"Thank god," he muttered.

She raised an eyebrow. "Though you probably might still want to tone it down," she continued, "After all you still have a bit this." She pinched his side, just above his tracksuit pants.

He scowled, swatting her hand away. "Lois, do you mind?"

She grinned at the indignant look on his face.

"I know I'm still too fat," he continued.

She raised an eyebrow. And overly self-conscious too. Maybe she should ease up on the teasing?

"It's not that bad, Clark," she scoffed.

"You call me tubby all the time," he pointed out.

"In an endearing way," she returned.

He frowned, confused. "How's it endearing?"

She sighed and shook her head. "Anyway there is nothing wrong with a few love handles."

His frown deepened. "And that's supposed to make me feel better?"

She shrugged casually. "I guess not if you're trying to impress one insipid cheer leader."

He rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me, it's the inside that counts."

She lightly punched him in the arm. "That's right, Smallville, and seeing it makes you so uncomfortable you can go put a shirt on."

"Finally," he sighed getting up.

She noticed the slight swelling around his left eye.

"Hang on a sec."

He turned to her. "What now?"

"Sit, Clark."

"No … Lois," he began, looking flustered.

She shot him a stern look and sighing he sat back down. She inspected his left eye.

"You're gonna have some shiner there in the morning."

Turning around, she reached for an ice pack in the freezer, wrapping it in a tea-towel and handing it to him. "Hold this over it."

"Can I put on a shirt before I do it?" he whined. "I'm cold."

"I guess," she sighed.

Now he could put an end to his embarrassment. Gingerly getting off the stool he headed for the stairs.

"Make it quick, Clark, I have a surprise for you," she called after him.

He stopped at the bottom step. Did she say surprise? Oh no … Lois and surprises he shuddered to think.

"I'll heat up the pot roast your mom left in the fridge."

Looked like Lois was settling in for the night, he mused as he trudged up the stairs. Why would she want to spend a Friday night with him? After all wasn't he supposed to be boring? She really was the most unusual girl he'd ever met. Or maybe she just needed to get her bossy quota for the day and he was it.

He ran a quick brush through his mop of dark hair. Reaching for his shirt he pulled it on, muscles groaning in protest. He was going to feel it over the next couple of days. The farm chores still hadn't been done for the evening. It might have to wait till tomorrow but he should still make sure the animals are fed.

They ate the pot roast Lois had warmed up in the microwave, least she couldn't screw that up. She then dragged him off to the barn for his so called surprise, which he was kind of dreading.

"Lighten up, Clark," she admonished, "I'm not dragging you off to the gallows."

"I don't know, Lois, kind of feels that way."

She lightly elbowed him.

He grimaced.

"Sorry, Clark. I forgot about your bruises."

They padded up the wooden stairs, Clark shoved his hands in his pockets when they reached the loft. Lois grabbed a brown paper bag from the desk, pulling the contents out. He glanced at it, a frown denting his forehead, unsure of what to think.

"Beer?" he said in disbelief, well that was a relief in some ways.

"Don't tell me you have never had a beer before now?"

He ran a hand up the back of his neck. "Um … no."

Sudden disbelief crossed her face. "Well there is a first time for everything," she continued, handing him a can of beer.

He peered at it, hesitantly. Should he?

"You drink it, Clark."

Oh, ha ha, she was full of laughs.

"Figured that out, Lois."

She grinned. "It's not poison, Smallville."

"I don't know if my mom would like it," he began.

Lois rolled her eyes, opening the tab of her own can, he watched her take a swig.

"It's only mid strength, you're not about to get drunk on it and you've eaten."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Never drink on an empty stomach, Smallville."

"You sound like you know all about it, Lois?"

She shrugged. "I've drunk Vodka with Russian Generals, black and tans with British battalion troops, bourbon with other Army brats while playing poker, and I always win in drinking competitions."

He frowned at her words. He didn't know of any girl who could do that. But the thought disturbed him at the same time. "But you're only 18!"

A smile twitched on her lips.

"What about your father, didn't he know?" Clark continued.

"What the General didn't know didn't hurt."

She was unbelievable.

"In some countries, 18 is the legal drinking age, so drunk up Smallville and stop stressing so much."

He glowered at her, raised the can and taking a swig. It tasted … pulling a face … bitter.

Lois' smile widened at the expression on his face. "It gets better."

After a few more mouthfuls he came to one conclusion; she was right. Though he still had doubts about this being the right thing and Lois' surprises, were … well different.

He watched her poke and investigate his things. Lois was innately curious about everything. She peered through his telescope.

"I can't see a damn thing, Smallville," she muttered.

He patiently removed her ponytail from being in the way of the lens. "This might help, Lois."

"I still can't see anything."

Resting a hand on her shoulder, he gently pushed her back. "Here let me focus it."

Placing his eye over the lens, he adjusted it accordingly. Right on the spot of his favourite study; the Whirlpool Galaxy.

"Now look here," he instructed.

She peered into the lens of the telescope.

"You might make out what looks like swirling arms of light," he continued.

"Oh, yeah," she breathed, as if seeing the sudden beauty for herself. "What is it?"

"It's a galaxy, Lois. When you look into it you are looking at the past. The very formation of creation itself."

She slowly stood, her curious gaze resting on him. "Huh, I learn something new about you every day, Smallville."

He shrugged in that nonchalant way of his.

Her gaze swept over the barn loft. It really was very much a boy's domain. A bit cluttered, books strewn in hasty order on the book shelves. But unlike many other boys his age, there were no posters of scantily clad women posing proactively. Clark was still very much a boy, and a boy with an interest in things outside of this world. It made her curious. He really was so very different, but in a nice way.

She watched him sit wearily on the sofa, looking worse for wear from the try outs. Sipping his beer in thoughtful contemplation as she continued to inspect the desk. She always had found it hard to sit still. Her eyes landed on what was his familiar slanted hand writing on a scrap piece of paper.

She picked it up. "What is this?" she asked, holding up the piece of paper for him to see.

He went strangely still and she began reading it out loud.

'I could only barely make out the fragmented words, like a lost memory from long ago that I can't quite hold onto.'

'He's so young.'

'Earth … will he be safe there? We are risking his life.'

'And here he will die like the rest of us.'

A woman was sobbing. She sounded so sad, so heartbroken. 'He won't ever know us …'

'We will live on, through him.'

I think she is my birth mother. 'But he will be the last of our kind.'

'I'm sorry … you have to let him go … Lara.'

Soft arms tenderly held me, but I can't see her face. 'Kal-el … Kal-el … my son … you will have a long journey.'

Now I know she is my mother. She lowered me gently into the space craft.

'We will always love you … be brave … be strong.'

Suddenly I'm cut off from the world I know. Encased in darkness, bereft and alone, my silent cries the only sound. The humming of the space ship lured me into a deep sleep. My tears dried on my cheeks as the ship hurtled to a far distant planet called earth. A place that would become my home, the only home I would ever know.

Her voice broke off there as emotion got the better of her. Smallville … who knew he could write so movingly.

She turned to look at him. For a moment she was mesmerised by the shadows in his eyes, shadows she didn't understand, they puzzled her. It wasn't right to see that pain in his beautiful eyes.

"It's a story I'm writing," he hurriedly returned, his jaw clenching.

She didn't know he liked to write? Was this another mysterious quality to his character that she'd failed to overlook?

"Oh great, I love stories."

Grabbing her beer and plonking herself on the couch, she raised her legs, resting her feet in his lap. "So tell me all about it, Smallville."

"It's kind of boring, Lois," he began, his big hands coming to rest on her feet.

She cut him off by holding up her slender hand in comparison. "I want to hear it."

He sighed. "Alright," he muttered, running a hand through his tousled hair. Not like it could hurt to tell her, after all, she would only ever see it as a story and never truth.

"Well it's about a boy."

"Yeah I got that bit, Smallville."

He shot her a sardonic look. "This boy, he is different."

"He's an Alien, I got that too."

He shook his head. She could be so frustrating. "Just let me finish the story, Lois."

She rolled her eyes and took a swig of her beer.

"This boy was the lone survivor of a planet …"

"What's it called?"

"I don't know, haven't figured that bit out yet."

She snorted in her beer. "You need to be specific, Clark."

He gave her a patient look.

"Anyway, continue about this boy from an Alien planet."

"He has these special powers."

"Like what?"

Clark inwardly sighed. He was in for a long night.

She watched, mesmerised, as he explained the story of a young boy who thought he was human but soon realised he was different from other kids. A boy that strangely touched her heart. She knew what it felt like to be different.

The way the light played across the planes of Clark's face, he really was very perfect in many ways; almost kind of superior. Just have another beer Lois, she scoffed, then you'll be seeing him as some kind of Greek god.

"He was adopted by two humans, who raised him as their own son and loved him just as much," he talked.

She cut him off. "Kind of like you, Clark."

He looked at her startled. "What do you mean, Lois?"

"You were adopted. You don't know where you came from, who your real parents were."

He blinked, his expression becoming strangely guarded, which puzzled her.

"Well you kind of gave me the idea," he slowly began.

"I did?"

"Yeah, when you said I could come from somewhere exotic."

A smile crossed her face. "So I did, I wasn't thinking about another planet at the time."

He shrugged. "I thought it would make for an interesting story."

Her eyes rested on his face. Over the course of the last month she had come to the conclusion that when it came to Clark Kent, being brash kind of forced him out of his self-imposed shell. There was a lot hidden beneath the surface when it came to him. It strangely intrigued her. Just like the story had moved her in a way she couldn't explain. He really was a bit of an enigma in many ways. She wanted to prod, poke and find out what really lay beneath those self-protective defences of his. As different as they were, they also had some things in common. They had both built protective walls around their hearts. Hers disguised behind a brash, bossy exterior. His, withdrawal into a place he couldn't be touched, living on the periphery, not knowing how to belong. Yeah, he was definitely the alien boy in the story.

After a long lengthy silence, and on her third can of beer she spoke up. "I suppose I no longer have to train you."

"I guess not," he began, his eyes wandering to her face, "But we can still go running together in the mornings," he continued, hastily adding, "That's if you want to."

She enjoyed running with him, Clark had a soothing effect upon her.

"Yeah, okay, can't resist your mom's breakfast."

Though in truth, she really couldn't resist his company, not that she would ever tell him.

Clark stood in line at the end of the school day that Monday to see if he made the team. A nervous anticipation took hold, despite Lois thinking he was a shoo-in he still wanted to see it for himself. He needed the evidence of those written words.

Glancing at the board, there it was; his name. He had made the team on his own merit, his own strength.

He stood still, like a stunned mullet for a moment as the reality sunk in. Then he slowly walked away in a daze as people shuffled him out of the way.

He'd not gone far when he saw Lana. She stood directly in front of him, a cute smile on her lips. "You made the team."

He nodded. "Yeah, I didn't know if I would."

"Well I saw you and I'm not at all surprised, you were great Clark."

He smiled. "Ah, thanks."

The smile disappeared from her lips. "I saw what Chad did to you, and I know he gave you that black eye."

He didn't know what to say, because it was true.

"I'm no longer going out with him. I didn't realise how much of a jerk he was."

Was she serious? His heart rate increased. "So you're single now?"

She smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I guess I am, feels kind of good."

Ask her out on a date, he silently said, or maybe it was a bit soon yet.

"So am I."

She raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Really, because I thought you were with Lois?"

"Um … we're just friends."

"You sure looked very friendly with her in the Diner the other day."

Lois' idea, you don't want to look desperate and dateless. Damn and Lana had noticed. Had she been checking him out? It gave him hope. Maybe she just might like him.

"We were just mucking around."

Lois was like that, easy to be around.

Lana's smile widened. "I guess I'll be seeing a lot of you now you'll be at training?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that."

A hesititant smile on his lips, her eyes twinkled with warmth and interest.

"See you then."

"Okay, yeah."

He watched her walk away. That was your cue Clark, damn his shyness. At this rate he'd never get to go on a date with her.

Lois was in fine form Monday morning, telling his mom all about what exactly Chad had done to him. He tried to shoot her a warning look, but she totally ignored him, as usual.

"Clark," his mom began, looking concerned, "Is this true?"

"It's nothing I can't handle," he hurriedly said.

Lois just continued to eat, oblivious to the warning looks he sent her way. She could be so frustrating. But she must have gotten some idea for her next words were a totally different tack in conversation.

"I don't know what I'm going to do," she chatted, as she cut her eggs, "Chloe's Aunt is coming to stay and they only have a tiny one bedroom apartment, it's crowed as it is."

Clark noticed the concern on his mom's face. She strangely liked Lois, which completely baffled him at times.

"I'm probably just gonna check into a motel," she continued, "And when the money runs out, I can sleep in my car."

"Lois," his mom began.

"It's okay, Mrs K," she said with a wave of her hand, "I've always dreamed of being a hobo, riding the rails, cooking beans over a roadside fire."

Lois as usual was being dramatic. His mom shot him an amused look.

"The matter is settled, Lois," she said adamantly. "You can stay with us."

What … going for a morning run with Lois was one thing, but living in the same house as her … was his mom serious?

Judging by the expression on her face that was a yes.

"You can have Clark's room."

He choked on a piece of toast.

Lois grinned and patted him on the back. "Guess that makes us house buddies, Smallville."

.

.

.

.

.

A/N: Thanks for reading. Feedback is very much appreciated so send a review letting me know what you liked and/or what you might like to see. Not much action happens this chapter but it will as the story progresses.

I think the second part of this chapter could have been better written but time, as always, is not something I have a lot of!

.