Chemistry

Chapter 5 Apartment Hunting

With the planning for their work space well underway, at least in their heads, they turned to Clark's living space. They took the penthouse elevator to the top floor. Lois was hoping that Mr. Olsen was available and could recommend a real estate agent for them. They stop at Janice's desk and ask if the boss was available. Janice calls, talks for a few seconds and then ushers them into his office.

"Ah, here is my star team! What can I do for you?" Mr. Olsen jumps up, pumps their hands and gives each of them a full-frontal hug. Lois grimaces, Clark smirks.

Lois takes the lead, as is her custom. (Clark is wondering how to temper that) "We are needing to look for an apartment for Clark, short term maybe," Lois starts.

Mr. O jumps in, "Clark all alone in his own apartment? I thought we had formed a team, and a damned good one. Clark, is this what you want, my boy?"

"Well, I thought that's where I should start while Lois & I sort some things out."

"Sort things out? I heard about that weekend in Smallville, seems like a lot of sorting was done . . . seems to me," Mr. O has a sly smile on his face.

Lois and Clark look at each other, then back at their boss. "Well, that was a good start," Clark concedes.

"Start?" Lois mutters. She elbows Clark in the ribs. He winces and continues, "I just have a lot on my plate. I might need a little solitude to process things, maybe, possibly. I better stop talking."

"Yes, you should, Smallville!" Lois retorts.

"Smallville?" Clark mutters. 'Name calling already'

Mr. O to the rescue, handing Lois 2 business cards. "Here are two agents we use a lot. Call either and tell them you work for me. They will provide you excellent service. And welcome aboard, Clarkie!"

The two leave the office, Clark starts to stomp toward the elevator. Lois grabs his arm and pulls him into a secluded alcove. "Hey, Smallville is just a term of endearment. I'm not sure what Clarkie is. Are we Ok?"

Silence.

Suddenly he pulls her into a rather rough kiss. "Please don't you ever call me Clarkie! Smallville is ok, but ONLY from you! Yes, we are ok . . . actually, as long as I'm in your arms, I'm great! Capiche?"

"Capiche! Now to call an agent."

1 HOUR LATER

They meet a Ms. Adams. She starts with a unit she seems desperate to dispose of. It is a one-bed, connecting to an efficiency. "Mr. O told me you were looking for something short-term while you make bigger decisions."

Clark and Lois look at each other and wince.

"The two parts can be occupied independently, or together. As you see, the efficiency has ample counter space. For a mini fridge for example."

"Or a bottle warmer in a nursery," Clark spouts grinning.

"What the hell are you talking about!" Lois explodes. "Ms. Adams, you are dismissed!" Lois stomps to the elevator and slams the down button. After Clark has a word with the agent he slips up beside Lois.

"Lois, I seem to have hit a nerve, I am sorry."

Silence.

They enter the elevator; Lois still doesn't speak, keeping her eyes on the elevator car's doors.

As they approach the front door she speaks up, "Clark, I'll be ok, I should take my own cab. I will call you later, ok?"

"OK. I'm sorry Lois. Let me make it up to you, will you?"

"Yes, talk to you later." She gets in a cab and is off.

He stands there for a few minutes, finally waves down a cab. He suddenly realizes that he has cancelled his hotel room. Now what? He asks the cabbie to stop at the nearest bodega, then take him to Lois' apartment. He picks up 2 pints of strawberry ripple cheesecake frozen yogurt. He hopes this is a good start.

He gets to her floor and rings the bell. After 2 minutes he hears her voice, "Who is there?" "Lois, it's Clark, may I come in, please? I forgot that I cancelled my hotel room." He hears the door unlock and he enters. The door shuts and locks behind him.

Lois is curled up on the couch; she obviously has been weeping. Tears still trickling down her cheeks. Clark stands by the kitchen door, "I brought your favorite dessert, shall I put it in the freezer or would you like some now. I have 2 pints; we can start on one and save the other for later. What do you prefer, Lois?"

"Strawberry ripple cheesecake?"

"Yup. What shall I do?"

"Stash one, bring one, two spoons and sit down by me."

By the time 1 pint is half gone they are slowing down. Clark takes it to the freezer and returns to sit next to Lois. She curls up right next to him, taking his hand in both of hers. She is sniffling now, with an occasional hiccough.

"Clark, I am sorry, I shouldn't have exploded like that. That was brought on by one of the many things you don't know about me."

"I'm sure there are many things we don't know about each other yet. It will take some time, I am sure."

"Yeah, it will. While that happens, I need to try and not explode like that." Lois admits.

"Me too. You don't really need to apologize; but if it helps, I will accept your sorry. Forgiven."

Silence for a few minutes, then: "Clark, no one knows this, absolutely no one in my life currently. Please keep it in absolute confidence."

"I will, absolutely!"

"When I was 17, just finished High School, I was in a relationship. With the football quarterback, we won State that year. He and I were on top of the world! In spite of being careful, I got pregnant. When I told him, he flipped out. Called me names, slapped me once, and took off never to see me again."

"Lois, He slapped you? That's terrible."

"Just once, listen please, this is really hard."

Clark wraps his arms around her and gently squeezes. She calms down a little.

"So, what was I to do? I had a little human growing inside of me. I talked to my Ob-Gyn; we discussed options including abortion."

Clark tensed momentarily, then relaxed. He didn't want to add to her tension.

"I was immediately in love with that baby. My dad was distraught, but to his credit he pledged to support me, us. So, I decided to keep the baby, be a mom and carry on."

"Good for you, Lois."

"Well, it wasn't to be. At 4 weeks I miscarried. That was a horrendous experience, I had a nervous break down and lost a year of my life."

"Damn, I wish that I had been there to love and support you." Clark is crying too now.

"I do too!"

"Lois, if I've been too much of a jerk, I can call and see if I can get my hotel room back?"

"No, no, please stay. Just hold me tonight. Ok?"

"You got it, I've never slept better than with you in my arms. Movie?"

"Yes." She gets up and puts on her go to movie for when she is upset. Little Mermaid.

Clark grins and watches, enjoying every minute.

TBC