Author's Note: I originally posted this story and its sequel on the message board site, Divine Intervention, back in 2009. This work was the result of a collaboration with Godesssiri.

The series has long since ended and new versions of Clark Kent, Lois Lane and others in this universe have been created. I do think that Henry Cavill and Amy Adams are superb in the new universe as Clark and Lois. However, my favorite Lois will always be Erica Durance. Her portrayal was the most infective and Erica's work has established her as the quintessential Lois Lane in my opinion.

There are many things to like and be excited about with the new DC Extended Universe being created. Yet, there is still something great about Smallville that I like to revisit and because of that, I'm re-posting this story. To my constant surprise, I still get email alerts after 10 years that someone is reading and reviewing these and that there is still interest left in Smallville stories. I will resurrect and update those unpublished stories for FanFiction.

Thanks and I hope you enjoy this story. - Jack

Author's Note: This is the third and final story in a trilogy (Courtship and Yuletide) posted over the 2009/2010 winter hiatus. Initially, this trilogy was intended to "fill the void" showing simply the off-screen romance and daily life with Clark and Lois as a romantic couple. The trilogy was not intended to go AU but after Yuletide, this story has ventured in to that realm and rather than not progress the relationship, we have decided to move forward with it. This story will not address the Zod story line in Season 9; but it will move the dynamics established in The Courtship and Yuletide forward.

Chapter 1

Chloe closed the program she was working with the moment she heard the outer door open. By the time Oliver had entered the expansive room that had been transformed into the Watchtower, her monitor displayed a global map containing flags identifying locations where the mysterious Kryptonian symbols appeared. Grid coordinates were arrayed in a tabular style on the top left of the screen.

"Hey Chloe. What are you working on," Oliver asked innocently.

"Using an algorithm to determine if any pattern of these symbols may provide an idea of where these extraterrestrial visitors may be assembling." Chloe pushed a function key and the screen came alive with numbers scrolling downward as calculations based on probabilities were displayed.

"Good luck with that," he quipped. "What's wrong with just keeping tabs on Zod? He'll be at the center of any assembly." He rifled through activity reports that sat on the corner of his desk.

"It's not that easy to keep tabs on him," she said curtly. "Now that we lost our mole inside Tess' operation, I don't have a clue where Zod is. I need a new set of eyes and ears there." She paused and then added. "All the security surveillance lines I tapped in to before have been blocked. That's why keeping tabs on Clark was so important; Zod is bound to find him."

"Clark will be at one of three places: at work, at home, or at Lois'. I know this sounds old school but why not just ask him to check in anytime he leaves the area?" Oliver removed his outer jacket.

Chloe chuffed to accentuate her disagreement. "And if he doesn't? In a blink of an eye, Clark can be visiting Jor-El and be so far off the grid that there's no way to check up on him."

"And when did it become your responsibility to check up on him, Chloe?" Oliver pulled a chair next to her, reversed it and sat down leaning forward against the back of the chair. "Because last time I checked, Clark did pretty well without our help. He did just fine when I was out of action."

"He did just fine against human criminals and averting disasters. Zod is a whole new ballgame." She paused. "I think you and I agree that Clark's making a mistake in the way he's handling Zod and at stake is just the human race," she added sarcastically.

"And we thought he was making a mistake with Davis Bloome, too. I learned my lesson about second-guessing Clark; I thought you learned it as well."

"What I learned is that Clark can turn his back on those who depend on him in a heartbeat," she replied dismissively. "When his plan fails because Zod outmaneuvers him and Clark abandons us again, we need to be prepared, Oliver."

"You seem pretty sure his plan will fail." Oliver leaned forward. "And Clark didn't abandon us because his plan failed, Chloe; you know that. You also know the reason why he left and what you're doing seems eerily similar to that reason."

She stared at him coldly. "I don't know what you're talking about, Oliver," she said and turned back to her monitor.

He sat up straighter in his chair. "Really?" He stood up. "So I guess all the hidden cameras and phone taps have been removed?"

"The cameras were removed after he returned," Chloe said, matter-of-factly. "And as I told Clark, I capture the phone conversations of all the JL members in case one of them comes up missing and we need a lead on where they may be. I don't listen to the conversations," she said and turned to look at Oliver, "I don't have time to just sit around and listen to phone calls, if that's what you're implying."

"That's good, Chloe," he replied, "Because Clark and your cousin would be awfully angry to find out you've been listening to their personal conversations. In fact, I'd be pissed to learn you've been listening to their personal conversations."

"You know what, Oliver?" Chloe swiveled in her chair and shot back, "I care what happens to both of them but mostly what happens to Lois. Clark may be the Man of Steel but now he's with Lois; she isn't made of steel and all she knows is that he's Clark Kent; a Kansas farm boy. She's in the dark about the rest of his story and it puts her in danger."

"I wonder if Clark would see it that way," Oliver replied.

"Zod's running around loose and the only way he can attack Clark is by using Lois as leverage. The minute he learns Clark is the Blur, Lois is in grave danger. So making sure we know what Clark is doing seems a lot more important than their privacy right now." She paused and then added, "Knowing could prevent Lois from becoming a pawn in the inevitable war between Clark and Zod." Chloe turned back to her computer. "If we can keep Lois out of harm's way by listening to a few conversations, I think he'll be glad that I did," she said dispassionately.

"You're on a slippery slope, Chloe. I'd advise you to watch your step," Oliver replied ominously. "Archiving conversations is one thing; analyzing conversations is a whole different matter."

"I archive fourteen days of conversations and then delete each fifteenth day." As if to prove her point, Chloe brought up the online archival database. "Look," she said, pointing to the dates. "The earliest conversation in the archive is December 14th; two weeks ago."

Oliver leaned over and glanced at the screen. A matrix was displayed listing audio files under each JL member. The filename was the date the file was created. "Uh huh," he acknowledged skeptically but said nothing further. He walked back to his desk and began looking at activity reports for the last twenty-four hours.

"Is Zatanna officially a member now?" Chloe asked.

"She is," Oliver replied.

"Then I'll need to issue her one of the special League phones and set up some files on the system." She then added, "I wish you'd tell me these things when they occur," annoyed at being left out of the information loop.

"Well she just decided to join Christmas night," he replied. "And you don't need to worry about anything happening to Zatanna; we'll be working together as a team so I'm keeping an eye on her."

"I noticed," Chloe replied under her breath.

"Oh," he added, "Just so we're clear; Lois knows about Zatanna's powers and knows Zatanna is working with Green Arrow. But she doesn't know that Clark knows about either of us."

"Lois knows? God Oliver," Chloe complained, "suddenly Lois knows half of everything we're doing here. Why not just take out an ad in the Daily Planet announcing the expansion of the JL?" She bristled. "What purpose was served telling her about Zatanna? It only puts her in more danger."

"Lois and Zatanna immediately hit it off and keeping her in the dark didn't seem necessary. She's kept my secret safe; I saw no reason to hide Zatanna's second job from her."

Chloe just shook her head, seething that Lois was learning more about the JL than Chloe wanted her to know. "Then maybe I should tell her what I do."

"That would not be wise," Oliver replied. "Right now all Lois knows is that I'm Green Arrow and Zatanna is going to be my partner."

"And what about Mia?"

"What about her?"

"Does Lois know that Mia is also going to work with you?"

"She knows I'm mentoring Mia; which is all I'm doing." Oliver put down the report he was reviewing. "What's the problem, Chloe?"

Chloe swiveled around to face Oliver. "The problem is that I'm here locked away trying to keep a secret society operating effectively in the shadows and you're out there broadcasting its existence. Lois isn't stupid; she's going to start putting things together and once she does, then what?"

"If that happens, I'll ask her to keep it all confidential; just as she's kept my secret confidential. I trust her, don't you?"

"Yes, but…" Chloe stumbled, "it just puts her in further danger. I don't like it. She doesn't have enough information to protect herself. As long as she thinks Clark is what he appears to be, she's liable to make decisions that will get her in to trouble."

Oliver chuckled. "And that's different how? Lois always gets herself in trouble and it has nothing to do with whose secrets she knows."

"I don't like it, Oliver!"

"You don't have to like it, Chloe," Oliver replied matter-of-factly. "I made a decision and I told her. That's the end of it."

"C'mon Lucy," Lois said. "You've got a big day tomorrow. You need to get some sleep so you're fresh for your interview." She turned back to Clark and Martha. "Thanks again for dinner, Mrs. Kent." She looked at Clark and winked. "I'll see you in the morning."

The two sisters rose from the couch and headed for the door.

Martha handed Lucy her coat and Clark helped Lois put hers on. "I'll walk you two out," he said.

Martha hugged Lucy. "Good luck tomorrow, dear." She turned and hugged Lois. "Good night, Sweetheart," she said and kissed her cheek before they walked out the door.

"Good night, Mrs. Kent," they said in unison and then giggled.

Clark opened their doors. Lucy crawled in first and Lois lingered at her car door. She looped her arms around Clark's neck. "Thanks for a great weekend," she said, staring deeply into his eyes.

"It was great, wasn't it?" he replied, matching her gaze. "I'm glad it turned out so well."

"Hurry up you two; it's cold in this car," Lucy shouted.

Lois smiled. "Well, it sounds like the troops are getting restless." She pulled him down and kissed him. "I'll see ya tomorrow."

Clark watched them drive off and went back inside. Martha was waiting for him. "It's good to see you so happy, Son," she said as he sat down on the couch. "So often, you seem to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders and although I know why, it's crushing at times to see you so burdened. But I've also seen you happy before yet I've never seen you this content. You two are so comfortable together and that's the big difference between Lois and Lana. You never seemed comfortable around her." She smiled slyly and added, "I guess that's why Lois is wearing that bracelet; you must feel the same way."

"I do," Clark replied. "Things are really different with Lois. You're right, Mom; I'm more comfortable around her than I've ever been. But Lois has a way of keeping me off-balance, too; not in a bad way, she just always keeps me on my toes. I always want to be better than she expects of me. The better I am in her eyes, the better I feel about myself. Does that make sense to you?"

Martha smiled and patted his leg. "Of course it does, Sweetheart. I've noticed a marked change in you since you began at the Planet last year and I think Lois is the reason. Wanting to be a better person or partner is never a bad thing in a relationship, Clark. The wonderful part of that dynamic is that it's you who wants to be better in her eyes rather than her trying to make you be something she wants you to be."

"I have to say something to you, Lo," Lucy said as they entered Lois' apartment. Lois spun around to face Lucy, alarmed at her declaration. "For what it's worth, you need to hold on to Clark no matter what and not just because he's gorgeous, thoughtful, polite, respectful and all those other things you rarely find in guys these days." A smile spread over Lois' face. "You need to hold on to him because you're different when you're around him, Lo. You're more relaxed, you're happier, and you just seem to be so in tune with each other that I doubt you'd ever find someone like Clark again."

Lois nodded, "Well, that's the plan right now, Luce." They shed their coats and went to the dining table and sat. "There's something about him that I can't quite put my finger on but he's different from every other guy I've ever known. Yeah, he's a big Boy Scout in every sense of the word and that's really rare these days but it's more than just that. He completes me." Lois paused and rolled her eyes. "Oh my God; I can't believe I just said those words. I hate that saying and if you ever tell anyone I said that, I'll hold you down and shave your head."

Lucy chuckled. "I know; that's a sickening sweet saying but in the case of Kent and Lane, it's true. You obviously know him a lot better than I do but from an outsider's view, you two are the perfect couple. You're everything he's not and he's everything you're not and together, you're more than just two people." She shrugged. "So whatever you do, you lock that guy down, Lo. I know you told me that you were going to take it slow but from what I see, there's no need to. He's crazy about you. You've known him for almost six years so I doubt you'll find anything about him you don't already know. And you'd be devastated if you let him get away."

She took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right, Luce. I just worry about scaring him off by pushing too hard or moving too quickly. I need to be sure and so does he. But I won't let him get away and I'm not going to do anything that will screw this up."

"That's good, Lo because from where I sit, you've never been as happy and content as you are now; never!"