Beside you still

Chapter 4 Don't do that!

PARIS, FRANCE

SUNDAY MORNING

Clark has checked and rechecked the time zone differences between Metropolis and Paris (the city), France (the country). He has called a bakery that he has done business with several times, and placed a very special order. He flew across the 'Pond', picked up his order, and is back at Lois' apartment in time for breakfast. He knocks on the door and waits.

Lois looks through the peep hole, sees it is Clark and opens the door. She has on her silk robe, mussed hair and no makeup. She still is stunning to his eyes. She invites him in, he places his breakfast gift on the kitchen table and turns to face her. They embrace, kiss and then draw back.

"What's in the bag, lover boy?" Lois shyly smiles.

"A breakfast gift for you," he grins.

"Shopping this early?"

"Yeah, I loved those croissants you brought yesterday. So, I got more, I hope they are just as good."

"Well, let's eat!" They cooperate on coffee, juice, utensils and napkins, then sit. After Clark offers grace, Lois takes her 1st bite.

"Wow, Clark, these are fantastic. Better than the ones I got. Where did you find them?"

"Paris."

"The same bakery?"

"No, Paris."

"That's the bakery where I got yesterday's croissants."

"No, Lois. Paris."

"What?" Slowly, realization dawns. Lois grins, "Oh, you mean-

"Yes. Paris, France. Fresh to your door, my love. I hope you will enjoy!"

"Oh, I will, I am!"

They enjoy their breakfast, engaging in romantic small talk; almost fore-play. After they finish including clean up, Lois turns and embraces Clark. They kiss long and deep. Then she says, "I need to shower and get dressed for the day. I am looking forward to taking the next step together, later, my love. Seeing if I can 'light your fire' – you know, High School." She wiggles her eyebrows. Then slips into the bathroom for her morning shower.

A lump grows in the pit of Clark's stomach. 'DAMN,' this is going to be harder than I thought. Untangling HIM from ME.'

As Clark sits on the couch his cell pings, a TXT:

JL: Ecological disaster pending, N Norway. 3 villages face wipe out. Can U assist?

CK: Yes, Watch Tower ASAP.

JL: K

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While Lois completes her shower, Clark finds some stationery and sits at her desk. He writes her a note:

My dearest Lois,

I am sorry to leave so suddenly. I need to respond to an impending ecological crisis in another part of the planet. I will return to you ASAP.

We have much to talk about, e.g. sorting out Clark Kent from Superman. Remember the suit vs. the man? Your mention of "lighting my fire" rather stunned me.

We can, we must work through this together. You have my heart, treat it kindly please.

All my love – always,

Clark

He folds the letter, places it in an envelope, writes LOIS on the front. He seals it with a kiss and lays it on the kitchen table.

He quietly slips out her door and is off.

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After her shower Lois dries her hair and applies minimal makeup. She dresses in jeans and a t-shirt and ambles out to the LR. She had noticed that the apartment was very quiet, but had thought nothing of it. Not finding Clark in the LR, she moves on to the kitchen. No Clark, but she notices the envelope on the table. Her heart sinks – it is addressed to her. The writing seems hurried. 'NO, now what! What has happened?' Her mind races, going back over the morning. He probably just had an emergency, that's all.

She takes the envelope to the couch and sits. She opens the letter and reads. As she suspected, he had an emergency. BUT WAIT! They need to talk, no surprise. The part about his fire, HS, the suit vs. the man! SHIT! Has she blown it again? Before they really get started? Is he just too sensitive? Or is she too insensitive?

She thinks back to their talk during her recovery:

FLASHBACK

Superman/Lois/General Lane

"I screamed your name." Lois whispers. (During the attack in which Lois was beaten and reporter Allison was shot and killed!)

"I heard you," Superman cringes internally. He knows an explosion is coming.

"WHAT!?" Sam shouts – he gets right up into Superman's face.

"I was in Africa, stopping a tribal war between 2 villages."

"Oh," Sam whispers. "How bad was it?"

"35 people had already been killed. Including 5 infants in-utero and their butchered mothers."

"Oh, my God. You couldn't leave, could you?" Sam voices.

"Not until the next morning. I had to be sure that the cease fire would hold. Can you understand that, general?"

"Yes, I can . . . Lois, honey. He needed to handle the bigger tragedy."

THEN LATER, Clark/Lois

"How does he (Superman) deal with it?" Lois poses.

"It?" Clark wonders.

"Not being able to . . . you know."

"Save everyone?"

"Yes, it must be hard."

"It is . . . especially without, ah-

"Without what?"

"I shouldn't say." Clark draws back.

"You can say it, it's safe with me, and daddy."

"He's told me that he is looking for what we all look for."

"That is? I would think that he has everything – that he needs that is."

"No . . . he's still looking for someone to love. Someone who will love him for who he is."

"He is Superman! Everyone loves him!" Lois exclaims, waving her hands around.

"No Lois. When he takes the suit off, there is a man. That is who he really is! Superman is a persona – a super hero who helps people, doing good wherever and whenever he can. That's not the real man. Being a super hero can be quite lonely."

PRESENT

She had been careful, hadn't she? She had explained that she fell in love with Clark before she knew he was also Superman. He understood and accepted that. But then those remarks this morning, damn. This may be harder than she thought – or hoped. 'I wonder how long he will be gone?' She suddenly realized how much she missed him. God, and she had been thinking that tough, independent Lois Lane needed NOBODY! How wrong could she have been!

All of a sudden, she realized that she was crying. LOIS LANE DOES NOT CRY! What is happening to her? If she looks behind the bravado, the rock-solid walls for a second, she sees a new Lois Lane. And if she can give that girl a chance, she thinks she'll like her! Whoa!

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In northern Norway there had been an unusually harsh winter. Colder than average temperatures, much more snow than usual. Now an early spring thaw was threatening 3 hamlets with obliteration due to flooding as all that snow melts too soon. The JL* had asked for his help; he responded, of course.

He flew to Bergen where he was briefed. He assisted with transporting personnel and supplies. Then he personally managed the shaping of runoff so threatened populated areas were saved from the most destructive flows. His efforts consumed 4 days. After a celebratory dinner of gratitude, he flew home to Metropolis.

After a hot shower and some sleep, he collapsed on his couch. Taking his cell in hand, he called Lois.

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TBC

JL = Justice League. A collection of super-heroes led by Green Arrow. Superman is affiliated with them. He accepts occasional assignments; they provide coverage for personal time; he joins in larger teams for major cases. Everyone benefits.