Here's *Chapter 11: Party Part 2, fully revised and expanded based on your feedback:
Chapter 11: Party Part 2*
Lois and Clark slipped back inside the Queen penthouse, casually walking side by side so no one would take note of their time on the terrace. The intimate gathering was in full swing now, with small groups scattered across the room. Arthur and Mera were by the windows, Victor and Lucy stood nearby, while Chloe and Oliver, Bruce and Kara formed the core of the group. The remaining singles—Diana (Black Canary), Bart (Impulse), Lana, and a few others—were chatting among themselves.
The warm atmosphere felt even more close-knit as the night progressed, laughter and soft conversation filling the space. Lois found herself caught in the moment, feeling grateful to be surrounded by friends and, surprisingly, Clark. They made their way to the center of the room, where it was time for her toast.
She raised her glass, and the room gradually quieted. "To Chloe and Oliver," Lois began, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "You two have shown all of us what true partnership looks like. You've been through more than most couples could imagine, and yet, here you are—stronger than ever, still standing, still loving each other. It's inspiring to see, and I'm honored to be a part of this moment."
She paused, a soft smile lighting her face. "While I'm sure there will be more challenges ahead—you both seem to invite those, after all—there's no doubt you'll face them together, just like always. So here's to more love, more adventure, and maybe a little bit of peace and quiet in between." She winked, eliciting a round of laughter from the group. "Cheers!"
The group echoed her toast, clinking their glasses together, and a warm applause followed. Chloe and Oliver shared a grateful smile with Lois, clearly touched by her words.
It was Clark's turn next. He stepped forward, a little bashful as usual but with that familiar, sincere smile that softened his features. "Oliver and Chloe," he began, lifting his glass. "I've known Oliver for a long time, and I've seen him face a lot—some of it with more arrows than I care to count." The group chuckled, while Oliver gave him a playful glare.
"But through it all," Clark continued, his gaze now on Chloe, "he's had you by his side. Chloe, you've made him better in ways I don't think even he understands. And together, you're something incredible. You're partners in every sense of the word. I couldn't be happier for both of you." He smiled softly. "To Chloe and Oliver."
Another round of cheers, and more clinking glasses, filled the room as Clark and Lois exchanged a small smile. They had both delivered speeches that felt right, sincere, and heartfelt.
As the group began to drift back into smaller conversations, Lois found herself standing with Clark, Kara, and Oliver, the four of them sharing light banter as they sipped their drinks. Kara, never one to shy away from a tease, grinned at Lois with a knowing look.
"So, as best man and maid of honor, are you two planning anything special for the wedding?" Kara asked, her tone light and playful. "Maybe some kind of choreographed dance? Something dramatic down the aisle?"
Lois raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "Oh, I don't know about that. Clark doesn't strike me as the coordinated type when it comes to fancy footwork."
Clark raised his hands in mock offense. "Hey, I can hold my own," he retorted, but there was a glimmer of humor in his eyes. "I might surprise you."
"Is that a challenge?" Lois shot back, her lips curling into a smirk.
Kara laughed, nudging Oliver. "You see? They've got that perfect balance—one cracks the joke, the other plays along. They're going to kill it at the wedding."
Oliver grinned, taking a sip of his drink. "They'll definitely keep things interesting. And honestly, it's not a bad idea. Clark, you're always in serious mode. This might be your chance to loosen up a little."
Clark smiled but said nothing, his gaze flickering briefly to Lois, who caught his eye. Kara, sensing the playful tension, decided to push just a little further.
"So, Lois," Kara began, leaning in slightly, "are you seeing anyone?"
Lois blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the directness of the question. She quickly glanced at Clark, noting the slight tension in his posture before she composed herself. "I just got out of a long and... messy relationship," she admitted, her voice softer. "But... recently, I met someone. Someone who might make me want to try again."
Clark's face lit up with a wide smile, one that didn't go unnoticed by Oliver or Kara.
Oliver, always quick to seize the moment, raised an eyebrow and placed a hand over his heart, feigning deep offense. "Wait, wait... someone new? And *Chloe* didn't tell me?!" His voice was filled with mock indignation. "My own fiancée, keeping secrets from me. What is the world coming to?"
Lois rolled her eyes, not missing a beat. "Don't think that just because you're putting a ring on her finger, she's going to spill *all* the secrets."
Oliver scoffed, still playing up his dramatics. "No secrets between spouses! That's, like, marriage rule number one. Everything on the table, right? I mean, that's how it works!"
Lois raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms with a playful smirk. "Oh, *everything, huh? So you're telling me that Chloe knows *all* of your secrets, Mr. Green Arrow? Even the ones from before she knew about your 'extra-curricular activities'?"
Oliver's confident facade faltered for a moment, and he scratched the back of his head, chuckling nervously. "Okay, *maybe* there are a few things here and there that don't exactly come up over breakfast. But still, no big secrets—nothing that matters."
Lois smirked, continuing to push his buttons. "Oh please, Ollie. Everyone knows that Cat Grant has *nothing* on you the day you decide to retire your tights."
Everyone laughed, including Clark, who nearly spilled his drink as he tried to contain his amusement. Oliver's eyes widened in mock outrage, but he couldn't hide his grin.
"Hey, hey!" Oliver protested, holding up his hands. "I might have a reputation for, you know, *sharing, but comparing me to Cat Grant? That's a low blow, Lane."
Clark, still chuckling, chimed in. "She's got a point. If you ever gave up the bow, you'd definitely give Cat a run for her money."
Oliver threw his hands up in surrender, his grin never fading. "Alright, fine. I'll admit, I like to stay in the loop. But come on, it's not *gossip*—it's, uh, intelligence gathering."
Lois crossed her arms, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Is that what you're calling it now? Because we all know that once you hear something juicy, it's only a matter of time before Chloe's giving you the side-eye at dinner because she already knows *everything*."
Oliver's grin widened, knowing he was cornered. "Okay, fine, maybe I share a little too much sometimes. But hey, healthy communication, right?"
Lois raised an eyebrow, clearly not letting him off the hook. "Healthy communication, sure. But I'm not about to trust you with any big secrets. You and Chloe are like a two-person information network."
Oliver grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Well, when you put it that way..."
Clark chimed in with a grin. "Sounds like Oliver's vault might not be as secure as he claims."
Lois laughed, giving Oliver a playful nudge. "See? Even Clark agrees. No juicy secrets for you."
Oliver sighed dramatically, but his grin stayed intact. "I guess I'll have to live with that. But for the record, I'm a vault. Mostly."
Lois smirked. "I'll believe it when I see it, Queen."
Oliver chuckled and replied."Anyways, Lois, whoever this guy is, he's lucky. I hope he knows that." Clark and Lois locked a gaze that was not unnoticed by Kara.
"We'll see, Ollie" Lois replies looking directly into Clark's eyes.
The evening had grown late, and most of the guests had already trickled out of the Queen penthouse. Now, it was just Bart, Clark, Lana, and Lois remaining, standing near the doorway as they said their goodbyes to Oliver and Chloe.
"Thanks for the party," Bart said with his usual enthusiastic grin, bouncing on his heels as if he still had energy to burn despite the late hour. "That was awesome."
Lois smiled warmly at Chloe and Oliver. "Yeah, it was perfect. Thanks again for inviting us."
Clark, standing next to Lois, nodded in agreement, his hand brushing against hers in a gesture that felt natural but somehow intimate. "You guys always know how to throw a great party," he added with a smile.
Oliver chuckled. "Hey, it's what we do. Just glad you all could make it."
As the conversation winded down, Oliver glanced around, suddenly more practical. "So, how's everyone getting home? Need a ride, anyone?"
Before Clark could even open his mouth, Lana took a step closer to him, her voice soft and just a bit
too suggestive. "Actually, I was hoping Clark could walk me back to my hotel." She gave him a smile, tilting her head slightly. "It'd be nice to have some private time to catch up."
Clark stuttered for a second, caught off guard by the sudden request. "I, uh..." He glanced at Lois, his brain scrambling for what to say. He had already planned on taking Lois home, and the tension in the air suddenly became palpable.
Lois tensed beside him, her smile faltering just slightly. She wasn't the jealous type, but the situation felt undeniably awkward. The weight of Lana's history with Clark—and the fact that she'd just inserted herself like that—left a strange, uneasy feeling settling into the pit of Lois's stomach.
Bart, sensing the sudden shift, jumped in with his usual lightning-fast reflexes, both literal and social. "No worries, CK! I'll take Lois home," he offered cheerfully, completely unaware of the underlying tension. "Quickest man in the room, remember?"
Lois shook her head, trying to keep her voice light. "It's fine, Bart. I don't need a ride. It's just a short walk."
Bart, ever the charmer, grinned and looped an arm around her shoulder in a playful manner. "Come on, Lois. What kind of hero would I be if I let you walk home alone? I insist."
Lois opened her mouth to protest again, but Bart's enthusiasm was hard to argue with, and she knew that if she didn't let him, things would just get more awkward with Clark and Lana. "Alright, fine," she conceded with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Lead the way, speedy."
The four of them made their way down the elevator together, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Lois kept her eyes forward, resisting the urge to glance in Clark's direction. Clark, on the other hand, kept stealing looks at her, his guilt gnawing at him.
As the elevator doors opened onto the lobby, they all stepped out. At the building's entrance, there was a pause, a moment of hesitation as they prepared to go their separate ways. Bart was already bouncing with energy, ready to get Lois home, while Lana lingered a little too close to Clark.
"Well, nice to meet you, Lois," Lana said politely, giving her a small smile that seemed a little too measured. Lois returned the smile, though her heart wasn't in it.
"Likewise," Lois replied, her tone pleasant but distant.
"Let's do this!" Bart said enthusiastically, practically pulling Lois to the left as he led her down the street. "I'll have you home in no time, Lane!"
Clark stood frozen for a moment, watching Lois as she walked away with Bart, feeling a pang in his chest. He opened his mouth as if to call out, to say something, *anything, but the words didn't come. His gaze stayed on Lois's retreating form, hoping she'd look back.
But she didn't.
It took everything Lois had not to look back at him. Her heart was pounding, her mind racing. She wasn't the jealous type—she *really* wasn't—but something about the way Lana had swooped in unsettled her. It wasn't just the history between them; it was the way Clark had seemed so unsure, so caught off guard. Now, she was left walking away, wondering if there was more to their past than she'd realized.
Beside her, Bart rambled on about some mission he'd been on recently, but Lois barely heard him. She was too caught up in her own thoughts, her stomach twisting in knots.
Meanwhile, Clark stood still for a beat longer, watching Lois disappear into the distance. Lana's voice pulled him back to the present.
"Shall we?" she asked softly, looping her arm through his and pulling him gently in the opposite direction.
Clark nodded mutely, forcing himself to walk away, but his mind was far from present. He glanced back over his shoulder one last time, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lois again, but she was already gone.
To be continued...*