Chapter 15: Sister Time*

Lois was just about to settle in for the night, wearing a tight t-shirt and loose flannel pajama bottoms, her hair still slightly damp from her shower. She'd been ready to crawl into bed after the emotionally draining evening, but as she stepped out of the bathroom, she heard the doorbell ring.

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. *Who the hell is at my door at this hour?*

When she opened the door, her sister, Lucy, stood on the other side, dressed casually in jeans and a hoodie. She held up a hand in greeting, her expression one of mild exasperation.

"Lucy?" Lois asked, her surprise evident. "What are you doing here?"

Lucy rolled her eyes and stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. "There was some emergency at the JL headquarters. Victor called, said he's gonna be tied up all night." She shrugged and dropped her bag by the couch. "Thought I'd come crash here, hang out with my big sis. You know, maybe catch up on all the latest dirt about *you and Clark.*"

Lois blinked, her mind still catching up. "You couldn't call first?"

"Oh, please." Lucy waved her off with a grin. "Like you'd turn me away."

Lois closed the door behind her sister, shaking her head. "Alright, fine. You want tea, or are we going straight for the wine?"

Lucy laughed. "Wine. Definitely wine."

A few minutes later, they were both seated on the couch, glasses of wine in hand. The warm, dim lighting in Lois's apartment created a cozy atmosphere as the sisters settled in, each taking a sip before Lucy wasted no time diving into what she really wanted to know.

"So..." Lucy started, giving Lois a pointed look. "Tell me everything. Feels like there's a lot that happened between Gotham and today."

Lois sighed, rolling her eyes. "Tell me about it! And you've been waiting for this, huh?"

"Damn right I have. It's not every day I hear about my sister dating *Clark Kent.*"

Lois chuckled but then paused, swirling the wine in her glass, her thoughts racing. "It's... complicated, Luce." She exhaled slowly before continuing. "Everything feels so fast, but at the same time... it feels right, you know?"

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Fast? You mean, like, serious already?"

Lois nodded. "I mean we reconnected in Gotham. Chemistry is off the charts! Then we had one date and it's total and complete connection. Intellectually, ideologically, physically... I mean, it's insane how much we click. I wasn't expecting any of this, especially not with him."

"It's just that, the way I feel… it should take more time to feel this way. Certainly more than 4 days." Lois said as she took a large sip of her wine.

Lucy leaned in, clearly intrigued. "Okay, okay. So you guys have this intense connection... but something's bothering you. I can see it. Spill."

Lois hesitated, biting her lower lip before speaking. "Lana."

"Ah." Lucy sat back, her expression instantly understanding. "Yeah, I saw her at the party. She was... hanging around Clark a little too much for my liking."

"Right?!" Lois gestured with her glass, feeling the frustration bubble up again. "She kissed him, Luce. Tonight. When he walked her back to her hotel."

Lucy's eyes widened. "What?!"

"Yeah." Lois sighed, running a hand through her hair. "But Clark told me immediately. Said he didn't kiss her back, that he shut it down. And I believe him, I do... but still, it's hard. They have so much history, you know? It's... a lot to take in."

Lucy placed a comforting hand on Lois's knee. "Lo, Clark's a stand-up guy. If he's telling you he's not into Lana anymore, I believe him. And trust me, everyone at the party could see how he looked at you. I wasn't the only one who noticed the chemistry between you two."

Lois smiled softly, feeling reassured but still wrestling with the complexity of the situation. "It's just... I've never felt like this before. And after Richard... I wasn't sure I'd ever be ready to feel this way again."

Lucy's expression softened. "Richard was a tough break, Lo. You guys were together for years. I know you thought marrying him made sense, but I always told you that you deserved better."

"Luce—" Lois said in a warning tone.

"No Lois. I didn't say anything for years because you asked me to stay out of it. But honey, Richard didn't deserve an ounce of your love." Lucy finished her glass of wine in one go.

"Argh, I hate that guy so much for how much he's hurt you, you know?!"

Lois patted her sister's leg and nodded, her gaze dropping to her wine glass. "Yeah, I know. I'm done hating him or having any kind of feelings for Richard. I can't undo the past, but I can leave it behind."

Lucy's voice was gentle as she clicked her glass with Lois's. "I'm so proud of you, big sis. I love you, you know?"

The two sisters hugged, the affection between them a quiet but strong bond.

Lois took a deep breath. "With Clark... it's different. Everything is different."

Lucy smiled, her eyes warm with understanding.

Lois continued, "But it's still scary. I'm scared of how fast everything's moving, scared of getting hurt again. And with Lana... it's like this reminder that I might not be enough. Like, what if she's the one he really wants, deep down?"

"Stop." Lucy's tone was firm. "Lana's part of his past. You're his present, Lois. And I saw the way he looked at you tonight—*everyone* saw it. He's into you. All in."

Lois let out a small laugh. "You think?"

"I know," Lucy said, grinning. "And hey, Clark isn't Richard. You don't have to worry about him like that."

The room grew quiet for a moment, both sisters sipping their wine, reflecting on the conversation. Lois felt a little lighter, the knot of worry slowly loosening. But there was still that underlying fear she couldn't quite shake.

"I just don't want to mess this up," Lois finally said, her voice quieter. "It feels like I'm finally letting myself move forward, but what if it's too soon?"

Lucy shook her head. "You're not gonna mess it up. Look, everyone's journey is different. Richard... he wasn't your person, and that's okay. Clark? He might be. But you'll never know if you don't give it a shot."

Lois nodded, grateful for her sister's insight. "You always know what to say, don't you?"

Lucy smirked. "Of course. I'm the smart one in the family, remember?"

Lois laughed, giving her a playful nudge. "Sure you are."

They both settled back into the couch, comfortable in the silence that followed, the weight of the conversation slowly lifting. Lois glanced at her sister, thankful for the visit and for having someone who could understand the complexity of what she was feeling.

"Thanks for coming over, Luce," Lois said softly. "I needed this."

Lucy smiled, leaning her head on Lois's shoulder. "Anytime, sis. Anytime."

As they sat there, side by side, Lois felt a sense of peace wash over her. Whatever came next, she knew she wasn't facing it alone.