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Enough
Folc4evernaday
Chapter 3

***

Clark let out a sigh of defeat as he landed on the balcony of his apartment. He entered through the unlatched window at super-speed and changed into a t-shirt and boxer shorts, tossing the crude-oil-covered suit in the hamper. Thankfully there had been no injuries. A minor miracle out of the night that had turned into a living nightmare for him.

<<“You made me think you were dead,”>>

<<“Just…go.”>>

<<“I spent two days blaming myself and…”>>

He let out a heavy sigh and sank down into the soft cushions of the couch, burying his head in his hands. The look on Lois’ face right before he left continued to haunt him. She was hurt. He couldn’t blame her. He’d lied to her and deceived her for two years. He wasn’t sure what to do or say to excuse any of it.

<<“You mean too much to me,”>>

He let out a shallow breath, recalling the admission of love from earlier. A year ago, he would have been over the moon to finally have her return his feelings. It wasn’t Superman she’d declared her love for, it was him—Clark Kent. Selfishly, he wanted Lois to love the man beneath the big red ‘S,’ but her acceptance of his alter-ego was one of the pivotal reasons he had been captivated by her, to begin with.

It was ironic. Lois’ declaration of love for Superman was the excuse he gave himself for why he couldn’t tell Lois the truth. Then Mayson’s hatred for Superman was the reason he knew he could never have anything more than friendship with her. But neither Clark Kent nor Superman was the real man. Both were just different versions of himself that he presented to the world to hide behind. He'd been taught since childhood to keep himself hidden from the outside world.

Lois knew both versions as well as anyone could. She knew them as two separate people and now thanks to his own insecurities and fears he may have blown his one chance with the one person that could accept him completely.

He let out a bitter snort, recalling one of the many arguments he’d overheard between Lois and Mayson. Even with all her faults, Lois was consistent. No matter what, she always defended Superman. Not once did she ever look at his alter-ego as a vigilante or the strange visitor from another planet that he was.

He had hurt her.

He knew he couldn’t have continued down this path much longer. Lois needed to know everything. Still, the fear of the unknown continued to plague his mind. He had so many questions that remained unanswered. Questions he wanted to address with Lois, but given the harsh dismissal she’d given him when he’d heard the cry for help earlier, he knew any attempt to resume their conversation tonight wasn’t a good idea. She needed time. That was the least he could do given everything he’d put her through. He just prayed she would eventually forgive him.

He spotted the laptop sitting on the coffee table and his notes on Albie Swinson from earlier. He’d been so excited about the break in the case that he’d rushed over to Lois’ to tell her. How strange that his impulse to share the news on their story had resulted in not only their biggest fight but also a revelation on both their parts. Deciding the only way to occupy his racing mind was to give it something to focus on, he picked up the notes and began scanning through them. His information on Albie Swinson had led back to a man named Stanley Gables. Maybe a quick patrol over Gables’ property could provide some answers. If the man was responsible for breaking out McCarthy and Diego, it was only a matter of time before Big Buster Williams showed up too. Whatever these criminals were up to, he was sure it couldn’t be good.

He quickly spun into a clean suit and made his way over to the Gables residence. Maybe some good would come from tonight after all.

***

Clark was Superman.

The thought rolled around Lois’ mind for the umpteenth time as she paced around her living room apartment, running through the emotions that came with the revelation. Two men that she had come to think of as good friends were one and the same. The anger that had risen up initially had subsided and in its place was confusion and doubts as she tried to come to terms with everything Clark had told her tonight.

Clark was Superman.

It wasn’t a question. It wasn’t a theory. It was a fact that she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt and still she found herself in disbelief. How had she missed something so huge? How had she been duped into believing her partner and Superman were two different people?

Her mind ran through the facts once more, recalling one by one the memories of strange occurrences over the last year that now made logical sense. Each disappearance. Each unexplainable and strange behavior. All of them could be explained by the truth she now knew.

Clark was Superman.

It was soothing to compartmentalize each fact one by one just like a story. It was comfortable and familiar and right now she needed something that made sense.

The lame excuses and disappearances weren’t him being flakey or scared when they got close. They were him running off to help someone. The strange things Clark always did. Being able to pick a lock in seconds, crack a password before she could refill her coffee, and his ability to just know someone was up to something thanks to a source. All of it could easily be explained now. Clark and Superman were never in the same place at the same time. She frowned, recalling the press conference Clark had held a few weeks ago.

She’d have to ask him about that one. There would probably be a lot of conversations over the many things he’d done to deceive her and the rest of the world to keep up the pretense of leading a double life. Reconciling the two sides of him felt like an impossible feat. Every time she felt like she had a good handle on it, another memory would pop up, and all the emotions would rush through her once again, repeating the cycle.

She felt numb. Which was surprising given the anger that had been rushing through her veins less than an hour ago. All that was left seemed to be numbness and despair. She kept coming back to the same question: Where do we go from here? She had loved him, both sides of him and now with this new knowledge, she found herself in a corner unable to pull herself out.

He had lied to her for two years. Made her believe he was dead for two days and continued to lie to her over and over again. He had deceived her. He had hurt her. She had opened herself up and taken the leap of faith that this time things would be different. She’d trusted him and in return….

A tear ran down her cheek as she paced around the living room. Clark had gained her trust early on in their working relationship—before even their official partnership. She’d shared some of her deepest secrets with him, and he’d been lying to her. She should just walk away. It was probably much safer to cut her losses and protect herself from any further emotional scars. Yet, he had been the one to reveal the depth of his deception.

She ran a hand through her hair, contemplating her options and how to move forward. Despite her disquieting new knowledge, the fact remained that he — both sides of him — had been her friend for a long time. He had been the one to share this with her. She hadn’t discovered it on her own and confronted him. He hadn’t been forced to do it, but he had chosen to share what was probably the biggest secret he had. He made the decision to share it with her. He had chosen to be honest with her. That had to count for something, right?

He'd surrendered into her possession his greatest secret with the promise to leave if she so desired, telling her that he expected her to reject him. He had so much self-doubt. Who would have imagined Superman being so unsure of himself? He always appeared so confident and at ease with himself. How had she never seen through the masks he wore? She knew all too well how easy it was to put on a mask for the rest of the world. She had been wearing one for years. Clark was the only one outside of her sister that had been able to see past the façade. Only with Clark, for some reason, had she ever been able to let the barriers down enough to allow a glimpse of the real Lois Lane slip through her hard-exterior.

<<“You can’t even give me enough time to process Mayson’s death before…”>>

<<"What she thought she wanted was impossible.">>

<<“I wouldn’t…”

“I know,”>>

<< “Did you love her? You seem to be taking her death harder than a lot of her friends, and you won’t hardly talk to me unless it’s about work…”

“Lois, I didn’t love Mayson. I couldn’t…”>>

<<“We need to slow down,”>>

<<"You’re the only one I ever even considered sharing this with, but she found out by accident that night she died.">>

<<“I have been trying to be patient and trying to be understanding, but it’s really hard when you won’t talk to me!”

“I can’t! Especially not now,” >>

A frown crossed her face as she grew contemplative, recalling the many conversations from earlier. She knew he’d taken Mayson’s death hard. A part of her had feared that it had been because their relationship had been much closer than she realized and he was grieving someone he loved rather than just a friend. Though now seeing the last two weeks and that night through new eyes she began to realize what she’d mistaken for grief had been guilt. Raw self-loathing guilt that she never imagined Superman experiencing.

The thought of what happened after the rescues never occurred to her before now. Her frown quickly turned to worry as she recalled how hard it had been for him to open up to her. He blamed himself for Mayson’s death. Though there was no merit to his self-blame, she also knew to convince him differently was going to be a challenge. He had entrusted her with his secret. He had trusted her with his guilt. Deciding she had put her decision off long enough, she headed into the bedroom to change.

She needed to talk to Clark.

***

Clark flew back to his apartment with a satisfied smile on his face, content in the knowledge that the case of the missing felons had been solved. Sure enough, when he scanned the Gables residence, he’d found the missing criminals looking over blueprints to STAR Labs with Stanley Gables. He’d kept a close eye on the house when he called the tip into Henderson and then tried calling Lois but had gotten no answer. Knowing Perry would have a conniption fit if he sent their story in without a page one photo, he called Jimmy who surprisingly had still been awake. It had taken his friend less than ten minutes to make it there. Jimmy had been ecstatic at the chance, and Clark had ensured his young friend got enough shots of the trio of criminals when he helped escort them into police custody.

Clark reached his apartment and quickly flew inside, changing into the shirt and shorts he’d been wearing earlier. The tension from the night hung over him as he quickly typed up the story and sent it over to Perry with both his and Lois’ by-line on it. Jimmy was sure to get the prints developed in time for the morning edition. Hopefully, the wrapping up of their story could work as a peace offering for Lois. He let out a shaky breath as he turned to the clock, startled to see the late hour blinking back in red digit numbers, ‘11:58 p.m.’

A hard knock on the front door echoed, pulling his focus away from the story and the time. He scanned the front door and quickly jumped up to answer it when he saw the familiar figure on the other side of the door. “Lois?”

“Hi,” Lois said, twitching her mouth as she stared back at him.

He felt his throat tighten and his chest tighten as he stared back at her. She had spent days freezing him out over their fights about which angle to take on a story, yet a mere three hours after dropping a bombshell on her and leaving to tend to a rescue here she was.

“Hi,” Clark breathed, uncertain what to make of her appearance on his doorstep.

“Can I come in?” she asked, not waiting for his response as she crossed the threshold of his doorway and into his apartment.

“Yeah,” he closed the door behind her, watching in agony as she paced nervously by the sofa he’d been sitting on moments ago.

“You lied to me.” It was a statement, not an accusation and he mutely nodded, acknowledging the assessment as she continued, “For two …years.”

“When I needed to tend to a rescue or explain away something that I had done without revealing …” he stopped, catching himself and sighed, “Yes.” He took a step toward her, “I know this is a shock.”

“This isn’t something I can just…snap my fingers and be okay with,” she said as her voice wavered. He heard the slight hitch in her voice. “I mean, two years of memories…thinking you’re two people when you’re not. Everything I thought I knew…it’s gone.”

“I know this is …a lot,” he began carefully, trying to form his response without sounding too eager. She was here, trying to talk to him rationally about this. She wasn’t yelling. She was trying. “But you do know me. You’re the only one outside of my parents that ever did.”

“As two people,” Lois corrected. “Not as one.”

He took another step toward her, “I’ve only ever been one person with you, Lois,” He spread his arms out, gesturing to himself, “The only thing that was different was a suit and pair of glasses meant to hide everything else from the rest of the world.”

She stared at him for a long moment, seeming to take his statement in before responding, “It wasn’t just a suit.”

“It was to me,” he said with a shrug. “Superman—he was never meant to be anything more than just someone who swooped in and helped.”

“Maybe this isn’t what he expected.” Her face grew contemplative as she recalled aloud, “You were talking about yourself.”

“Yeah,” he nodded.

She took a deep breath and then a step toward him, “I’m not always good at thinking things through—at all.”

“I know,” a small smile crossed his face. “Though I do wish you would think about things just a little,” he brought his index finger and thumb together before adding. “At least when it comes to dangerous situations.”

“Sometimes I’m going to make decisions that you may not agree with, but those are my decisions,” Lois said continuing to pace in front of him. She stopped mid-pace in front of him, “If this is going to…” she stopped, shaking her head. “This isn’t going to change that, got it?”

He couldn’t suppress the smile from his face as his mind focused on the term ‘this.’ This. What was this? Was she talking about their relationship? Their friendship?

“I’m not going to stop trying to protect you,” he said carefully.

“I know,” she fidgeted nervously in front of him. “As long as you don’t try to do that by flying me off somewhere for my protection.” He nodded his agreement, and she let out a long breath, “I’m still trying to come to terms with all of this, but I can appreciate the fact that you did tell me... even though you didn’t have to.”

“Yes, I did,” he replied, taking another step toward her.

“I won’t tell anyone,” she shrugged her shoulders. “I…” She bit her lower lip, “You can trust me.”

“I know,” he nodded, finally closing the distance between them and running his hand across her cheek. “I never thought you’d do something like that, Lois.”

“Then what was it?” she asked, looking back at him. “I mean, why…for two years?”

“I have always kept this part of my life hidden. Always, Lois,” he said cautiously. “After everything that happened with Trask …and Luthor.” His hand fell, and he let out a deep sigh, “I was afraid of putting you in danger. Making you a target.”

“I’m already a target,” Lois clarified.

Clark nodded and shrugged his shoulders. “I never wanted this. I just…I wanted to help. That’s all.” His brow furrowed. “But in doing so, I’ve somehow put a target on my back, drawing out every evil criminal that decides taking Superman out would be a good game of sport.”

“That you stopped,” she pointed out gently. The guarded look she’d had on her face earlier had disappeared. The hard features softened as she looked back at him, her eyes filled with concern.

“Yeah,” he nodded his head, “But not without risk. Everyone I care about. Everyone I love is a target. This secret—It’s not something I could share with just anyone.”

Lois’ brow furrowed and she murmured, “That’s why you didn’t want Mayson to know.”

“She never would have accepted this side of me.” Clark said firmly, then snorted as he added with dismay, “No one could. I knew there would never be a future,” Clark explained calmly. A pained look of disbelief crossed Lois’ face with that comment, and he let out a defeated sigh, “She died realizing I was a stranger—someone she never really knew—someone she hated. It’s my fault.”

“Your fault?” Her voice wavered slightly as she shook her head, “The paramedics said she was dead the minute she got in that car. There’s no way you—even with your powers at full force could have stopped it from happening. You read the report just like I did.”

“I wasn’t fast enough,” he said shaking his head.

“You can’t do everything. You can’t be everywhere. It’s impossible.” Lois argued with him, taking a step toward him.

“I am impossible,” he pointed out.

“You…” she paused before continuing, “…can do a lot, but even you have your limits.” She placed a hand on his chest. He heard the words, but he still wasn’t convinced. In his heart, he knew he could have stopped that bomb if he’d been faster. Lois ran a hand across his cheek, “There’s only so much one person can do.”

He felt a lump build in his throat as he listened to her. She was right. He knew she was right, but the responsibility he felt to protect those that couldn’t defend themselves was a great one. It was something he’d taken on during his time traveling around the world after college. The desire to use his gifts for good and help those in need, but when he couldn’t …the pain and guilt was all consuming.

It still astounded him how fiercely Lois could fight for him. Even after everything, he’d put her through, she was here trying to talk him out of his guilt over Mayson’s death. He had shattered her trust in him and still here she was. His eyes met hers, sinking into the dark pools that reflected the things he never thought he’d experience in this lifetime. Love. Acceptance. Understanding. Forgiveness.

He felt the tension from the guilt he’d been carrying begin to fade as he cupped her cheek with his palm. He could feel his heart burst with the love he felt for her. Lois was the only one that had ever looked past Superman’s powers and tried to see the man behind the mask. The power she held over him was frightening and exhilarating all at the same time. He loved her with every fiber of his being and knew without a doubt he wanted nothing else out of life other than to spend every last second with her.

“You can’t blame yourself for what happened. It was not your fault,” Lois whispered to him.

Before he could argue any further, he felt her lips on his, igniting the electrical storm tumbling inside him. His arms came up around her as he instinctively responded, and he pulled her tight against him. "Lois…"

She cut him off with one kiss after another, each soft caress working to release the compounding guilt that had been weighing on him for the last few weeks. The tension from his guilt began to dissipate as a new tension began building inside him. Her body draped against him, and he shivered in response as her arms flung around his neck pulling him to her. There was no pulling back. There were no doubts clouding the intoxicating effect Lois was having on him.

“I love you,” he let out a low moan as his fingers grazed against the exposed skin from where her cotton top rode up.

“I love you too,” she murmured against him.

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” he asked between heated kisses.

She threaded her hands through his hair and brought him to her, helping guide him back toward the living room as she murmured, “I’m working on it.” She let out a long gasp as they reached the wall leading to the bedroom. “I’ll let you know in the morning.”

Needing no further encouragement, he lifted her up and carried her into the bedroom, not losing contact with her lips as they sunk down onto the bed. She was perfect. Her body pressed into him, seeking him out as all thoughts died and the sinful pleasure of instinct and raw desire took over.

Anticipation ran through him as he slid a possessive hand underneath the material up to her ribcage and kneaded the flesh beneath her cotton top, grazing his hand against the fabric of her bra. He let out a low groan as he allowed himself to sink further down into her arms as she peppered his face with featherlight kisses. The sound of cotton ripping reached his ears as he helped toss the remnants of her top to the ground, focusing his attention on fulfilling his unwavering desire to touch every last inch of her.

The bra quickly found its new home in the corner of the room, followed quickly by his own shirt and both of their shorts. She let out a shuddered gasp as he ran his hands up and down the unencumbered path of her body as he sought her taste. Her legs looped around his hips, pressing herself into him.

“Clark,” she moaned out his name, threading her hands through his hair. “Yes...”

“I love you, Lois,” he let out a guttural moan as her hands continued to move up and down his body, taking every opportunity to touch him. All he could focus on was the intoxicating sensation of her smooth, delicate hands on him as she devoured him. He wanted nothing more out of life than to spend every waking minute right here with Lois Lane’s body snuggly intertwined with his. Just when he thought it couldn’t get any better, he found new heights of pleasure as she enveloped him so completely.

Gone were the doubts. Gone were the fears. All he could focus on was the intoxicating way her legs wrapped around his hips, and her fingers gripped his hair as she called out his name over and over again.

***

“Lois?”

Lois stared back at the face in the doorway. A stray lock curled across Clark’s forehead and the gentle eyes unobstructed stared back at him. It was strange to see him like this –no glasses and no cape. A mixture of the two men she’d come to know over the last two years. “Hi,” she finally spoke.

“Hi,” Clark breathed.

“Can I come in?” she asked, stepping into the apartment before he could respond.

“Yeah,” he closed the door behind her.

She looked around the apartment. It all looked the same. Everything seemed so different now but yet the same. She felt his eyes on her as she paced around the couch. Finally deciding to just say what she came here to say she spoke up.

“You lied to me.” The statement was met with a nod as she continued, “For two …years.”

He didn’t try to argue or give her an excuse. He nodded his head and responded, “When I needed to tend to a rescue or explain away something that I had done without revealing …” He stopped mid-sentence and then sighed, “Yes.” He took a step toward her, “I know this is a shock.”

Shock felt like an understatement compared to what she’d been feeling a few hours ago. This was big. It was a bombshell that she was still reeling from but his alter-ego wasn’t why she was here. She needed to stay level-headed. They needed to talk this through.

“This isn’t something I can just…snap my fingers and be okay with,” she said, feeling the tension in her vocal chords give her own hesitancy away. “I mean, two years of memories…thinking you’re two people when you’re not. Everything I thought I knew…it’s gone.”

“I know this is …a lot,” he said, staring back at her, “But you do know me. You’re the only one outside of my parents that ever did.”

“As two people,” Lois corrected, eying him as he took a step closer to her, “Not as one.”

“I’ve only ever been one person with you, Lois,” he gestured to himself with his arms open, “The only thing that was different was a suit and pair of glasses meant to hide everything else from the rest of the world.”

She twisted her mouth as she contemplated his statement for a moment. What he was saying made sense she supposed. She knew all too well how similar the two men were. Had even commented on it many times, but to her, Superman wasn’t just a costume or a disguise. He was a real person. He was someone to the entire world.

“It wasn’t just a suit,” she said softly.

“It was to me,” he said with a shrug. “Superman—he was never meant to be anything more than just someone who swooped in and helped.”

She recalled the conversation shortly after Superman’s arrival when Perry had sent the entire newsroom after the Superman exclusive. Her face grew contemplative as she recited his words from so long ago out loud for him, “Maybe this isn’t what he expected.” She met his gaze, fitting the pieces together. “You were talking about yourself.”

“Yeah,” he nodded.

Superman was just the disguise. That thought seemed so surreal to her, yet staring at him like this, broken and defeated—unsure of himself and riddled with doubts she found it easy to accept. He was Clark. She recognized the uncertainty on his face that mirrored her own self-doubts she’d come face to face with many times. He put up a good front for the rest of the world, but underneath it all, he was just as insecure as anyone else. Fearful and doubting himself. That struck a chord with her as she took a deep breath then took a step toward him, “I’m not always good at thinking things through—at all.”

“I know,” a small smile crossed his face as he held up his hand. “Though I do wish you would think about things just a little,” he brought his index finger and thumb together before adding, “At least when it comes to dangerous situations.”

“Sometimes I’m going to make decisions that you may not agree with, but those are my decisions,” Lois said continuing to pace in front of him. The doubts and fears on his face were reflective of her own insecurities, stirring up many long-ago buried feelings of resentment from her almost-wedding to Lex. She stopped mid-pace in front of him. “If this is going to…” she stopped, shaking her head as she decided the more direct approach was best. “This isn’t going to change that, got it?”

She watched the smile spread lazily across his face and felt a flutter inside her abdomen. “I’m not going to stop trying to protect you,”

The sincerity and determination in his tone sent a flood of emotion through her, and she fidgeted nervously beneath his gaze. “I know. As long as you don’t try to do that by flying me off somewhere for my protection.” She looked to him for confirmation, feeling herself waver from beneath his gaze. He nodded his agreement, and she let out a long breath, “I’m still trying to come to terms with all of this, but I can appreciate the fact that you did tell me even though you didn’t have to.”

“Yes, I did,” he replied, taking another step toward her.

She met his gaze, feeling the need to reassure him that his trust wasn’t unfounded. “I won’t tell anyone.” She felt the tension in her shoulders release as she stared back at him and bit her lower lip, “I…You can trust me.”

“I know,” he nodded, finally closing the distance between them. She felt a tingle run down her spine and let out a short gasp as he ran his hand across her cheek. “I never thought you’d do something like that, Lois.”

“Then what was it?” she asked, looking back at him, searching his face for the answers to why he kept her in the dark for so long. “I mean, why…for two years?”

“I have always kept this part of my life hidden. Always, Lois.” His face grew contemplative as he spoke, “After everything that happened with Trask …and Luthor.” His hand fell from her face, and he let out a deep sigh, “I was afraid of putting you in danger. Making you a target.”

“I’m already a target,” Lois clarified, recalling too many times she’d been put in harm’s way in the hopes that it would draw out Superman.

Clark nodded and let out a deep sigh. “I never wanted this. I just…I wanted to help. That’s all.” His brow furrowed. “But in doing so, I’ve somehow put a target on my back, drawing out every evil criminal that decides taking Superman out would be a good game of sport.”

“That you stopped,” she pointed out gently.

“Yeah,” he nodded his head, “But not without risk. Everyone I care about. Everyone I love is a target. This secret—It’s not something I could share with just anyone.”

<<“I never wanted her to know.”>>

The memory of his confession from earlier popped in her head and Lois’ eyes widened as she put the pieces together. He closed himself off to a lot in keeping the dual identities. Unlike the men she’d encountered in her past, he couldn’t risk a causal relationship or fling for fear they might find out. In the two years she’d known him she hadn’t seen him take on any serious relationship. His friendship with Mayson had been the most interaction she’d seen outside of their own relationship. She wondered momentarily if he ever had been given a chance to have a serious relationship with anyone.

<<“I’ve only ever loved one woman.”>>

He never wanted Mayson to know about his alter-ego, but she’d found out anyway. It wasn’t grief he’d been carrying around this whole time it was remorse and guilt. She met his pained expression and the final pieces to the puzzle fit. The gravity of how much of a burden carrying this secret around must be reminded her of her own isolation and loneliness over the years, and she wondered aloud, “That’s why you didn’t want Mayson to know.”

<<“I never loved, Mayson,”>>

<<“I’ve only ever loved one woman...You.”>>

“She never would have accepted this side of me.” Clark said firmly as he added with dismay, “No one could.” Lois opened her mouth to protest as he let out a defeated sigh and added, “I knew there would never be a future,” A pained look of disbelief crossed her face as she listened to him voice his certainty that he would always be rejected. Forced to live in isolation, “She died realizing I was a stranger—someone she never really knew—someone she hated. It’s my fault,”

“Your fault?” She shook her head adamantly, angered at the blame he was trying to place on himself. “The paramedics said she was dead the minute she got in that car. There’s no way you—even with your powers at full force could have stopped it from happening. You read the report just like I did.”

“I wasn’t fast enough,” he said, shaking his head mournfully.

“You can’t do everything. You can’t be everywhere. It’s impossible.” Lois argued, desperate for him to hear her.

“I am impossible,” he pointed out.

“You…” She stopped, pausing for a moment to collect her thoughts before continuing, “…can do a lot, but even you have your limits.” She placed a hand on his chest and moved it up to run a hand across his cheek. “There’s only so much one person can do. You can’t blame yourself for what happened. It was not your fault.”

She didn’t give him a chance to argue any further, choosing instead to reassure him in a way she was sure he couldn’t ignore. Throwing caution to the wind, she flung her arms around him, silently celebrating victory as his arms instinctively wrapped around her as their lips met for a soul-shattering kiss.

"Lois…" he let out a muffled moan against her lips as she snaked her arms around him, pulling him closer. She whispered one kiss after another against his lips allowing him to walk her further and further into the living room. “I love you,” he let out a low moan as his fingers slid up the edge of her cotton t-shirt.

“I love you too,” she murmured against him, savoring the sensation of his body pressed against hers. A flutter of anticipation began to build as the heat between them began to build. She let out a soft sigh as he continued to walk her further into the living room.

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” he asked between her insistent kisses.

She threaded her hands through his hair and guiding him closer to her as the wooden paneled wall came in contact with her back, “I’m working on it.” She let out a long gasp as he pressed into her, silently asking the question that was left unspoken. Was she ready for this? Were they? Her heart was pounding out of her chest, and the thought of stopping seemed torturous. She could feel the soft pangs of desire, encouraging each caress. The aching need in the pit of her stomach continued to flutter as her body demanded more. Two years was long enough she finally decided and let out a sultry whisper, “I’ll let you know in the morning.”

His mouth sealed over hers and her legs wrapped around his waist as he carried her into the bedroom and they sank down onto the bed. His hands wandered up and down her torso, blindly searching for the warmth of her flesh beneath her cotton top. She reached down to help shed the garment off of her when she heard a loud rip echo in her eardrums. She craned her neck, seeking him out as she peppered his face with feather-light kisses. Her legs looped around his hips, pressing herself into him as his lips ran down her body.

“Clark,” she moaned out his name, running her hands through his hair. His hands wandered up and down the length of her legs “Yes...”

“I love you, Lois,” he let out a guttural moan as his palms glided up and down her legs as he buried his head in her shoulder.

He rested his forehead against hers, stroking her cheek as he whispered, “I love you, Lois…so much.” His thumb grazed against her jawline as he ran his fingers through her hair.

“I love you too,” she let out a low moan as he moved against her, running his hands up and down her sides, “…so much,”

Her grip on him tightened as they soon lost themselves in one another’s arms. The world around them slowly disassembled. The tension from the evening’s events and revelations had disappeared and all that remained was the realization that this moment would forever shape her and Clark’s future together. An elated smile spread lazily across her face as she found solace in his arms knowing the distance that had been plaguing their relationship was gone and feeling reassurance that there were no longer any doubts plaguing his mind. The world faded away as they both focused their attention on more urgent desires before succumbing to sleep in the late hours of the morning.

***

The sounds of the traffic outside echoed in Clark Kent’s eardrums as he began to stir. He squinted his eyes open and felt the bright sun’s rays on his face. A lazy grin spread across his face as he caught sight of the gorgeous brunette nestled against his chest. Recalling the many changes to his and Lois’ relationship last night and the intoxicating way they’d spent the early hours of the morning in one another’s arms, his grin spread into a megawatt smile as he ran a possessive hand over her backside, admiring the way her curves fit so perfectly against him. “I love you, Lois Lane,” he murmured, running his hand across her cheek.

She began to stir, stretching her long legs against him from beneath the covers as her eyes fluttered open, “Hey,” she smiled up at him.

“Hey,” he murmured, tightening his arm around her, enjoying the feel of her bare skin beneath his palm.

“You’re still here,” she grinned back at him. “No one…needed you?” He let out a low groan as her right leg glided up and down the back of his calf.

“I don’t know,” A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he looked down at her naked figure wrapped beneath the cotton sheet beneath him. “I was…preoccupied with the eventful evening,” he then added with the waggle of his eyebrows, “…and morning.”

“Eventful?” she slanted her eyes at him, giving him a questioning gaze.

He quickly amended his description, “Amazing,” He leaned in to kiss her, capturing her lips with his.

A blush crossed her cheek, and he pulled her to him, cradling her in his arms. She craned her neck back into the pillow and looped her arms around his neck and whispered her own description, “Incredible.”

He felt the crimson blush cross his cheeks as he stared back into her eyes. Every barrier had come down last night. He couldn’t imagine being any closer to her. He knew without a doubt he wanted to spend every last moment until the day he died with her in his arms. He still wasn’t sure what he had done to deserve her forgiveness but he wasn’t going to question the good luck that he had been blessed with.

The doubts and insecurities that had plagued his mind for months were now gone and in their place was certainty and assurance that he had found where he belonged. He made a mental note to remember to stop by the jewelry store for whenever she let him make it official. For now, he was content to remain in her arms for as long as she would have him.

His lips brushed against hers and a smile spread across his face as he whispered, “Perfect.”

She let out a soft sigh and stroked his cheek, silently reading his features for a moment as he reveled in the feeling of being in her arms. So much had changed in the last twelve hours. The soft pang of the clock in the living room chiming the new hour pulled her attention toward the clock on his nightstand. A playful smile spread across her face and she asked, “How mad do you think Perry’s going to be when we stroll into the newsroom after one?”

Clark glanced up at the clock and shrugged, “I can get us there before noon,” He loosened his grip on her and rolled on his back, allowing her to sit up with the sheet draped across her chest.

“I still have to go back to my apartment to change,” she reminded him. “It’s not like I brought a change of clothes with me,” She reached for the torn shirt on the ground and tossed it to him. “Not that they would have survived last night.”

“Right,” he grinned at her, “Note to self, bring several changes of clothing.”

“You owe me a shirt,” she fingered his nose with her index finger.

He gestured to his dresser, “Take one,” She opened her mouth to respond and stopped when the phone on his nightstand rang, dragging his attention away from Lois’ naked figure next to him.
He reached over for the cordless phone and answered it, “Hello?”

“Hey, CK, you feelin’ all right?” Jimmy asked over the phone.

“Uh, fine,” Clark glanced toward the dresser and spotted the unobstructed view of Lois digging through his dresser for a shirt.

“It’s eleven,” Jimmy announced the time as if it should mean something to him.

“Yeah, well, weeyuh….I…I had a late night going through the stuff on Gables.” He caught Lois’ questioning gaze and he mouthed, ‘Jimmy’ to her. He could feel Lois’ eyes on him as he did his best to prevent Jimmy from figuring out he was not alone. Jimmy was a good friend but his filter and ability to keep anything to himself left a lot to be desired. Navigating romance in the workplace was hard enough without giving their co-workers tidbits on his and Lois’ personal relationship.

“Uh-huh,” came Jimmy’s response, “I thought you might want to know that DEA Agent you guys were working with is looking for you.”

“Olsen!” Perry’s bellow could be heard from over the phone.

“And the Chief is looking for you too.” Jimmy stammered out.

“I’m just finishing things up here and I’ll be in shortly,” Clark said.

“And Lois?” Jimmy asked.

There was a dead silence on the phone as Clark feigned ignorance, “I-is she not in yet?”

‘God, I’m bad at his,’ he thought as he listened to the silence on the other end of the phone.

“No, I just assumed …You know what, never mind,” Jimmy backtracked. “I’ll see you when you get in.”

“Bye,” Clark hung up the phone before he could make things any worse. He glanced back at Lois who was standing in front of him in his old Midwestern University t-shirt. The gray material fell just above her knees and hugged her curves beneath the cotton material.

“What’d Jimmy want?” Lois asked, a smile crossed her lip. “I mean besides the obvious you’re late routine.”

“We’re late,” Clark corrected, watching Lois slip on her shorts from last night. He moved at super-speed and disappeared into a blur of pigments, showering and changing before reappearing in front of her in a dark tan suit and pale yellow dress shirt.

Her eyes wandered over him for a moment before she added, “That’s going to take some getting used to.”

“Jimmy said the Chief is looking for us,” Clark said confirming her assessment, “But I did…” He stopped mid-sentence when he heard a loud tapping sound at the front door, “Hold on.”

He grabbed the pair of glasses from his nightstand and slipped them on before going to the door to answer it. He frowned at the clock. It was well past the time his landlord or any deliveries would typically be made. He scanned the door and let out a groan when he saw who was on the other side.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered under his breath, jerking the door open. There on his doorstep was a very irritated Dan Scardino. “What do you want, Scardino? A restraining order?”

“Kent, you get enough sleep? Stealing my case right out from under me must have really taken a lot out of you!” Scardino pushed his way inside, holding a copy of the newspaper in his hand. The frown on his face told Clark he wasn’t happy about the arrest. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”

Clark looked at the front page that showed a copy of Jimmy’s photo and the headline ‘Resurrection No More!’ with his and Lois’ by-line. He’d used part of the story that Lois had started yesterday and added to it with what he found out last night after Gables’ arrest.

“Wasn’t the objective to catch Mayson Drake’s killer?” Clark stared back at him with a questioning gaze. “I’m not seeing the problem.” He gestured toward the door, “Unless you have something new to discuss…there’s the door.”

“How’d you find him?” Scardino asked, pulling his notepad out, ready to get his statement. “The police said there was an anonymous tip that called in the report.” Scardino took a step into Clark’s face, “I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that was you.”

“Those sources are called anonymous for a reason,” Clark said firmly. “I believe there’s actually a law about it.”

“I don’t give a crap about your damn shield law, Kent,” Scardino snapped irritably. “Gables was up to something and I need to know who all was involved. Your buddy at the Metropolis P.D. isn’t exactly the most cooperative witness.”

“And you think I’m going to help you?” Clark guessed, looking at Scardino in disbelief.

“You’re an intelligent guy, Kent,” Scardino replied smoothly. “You don’t like me very much. I don’t like you.” A smirk crossed Scardino’s face and he added, “I can make this investigation with the DEA last as long as I want. I hear Washington’s got an open position for a field agent here in Metropolis.”

“I’m sure you’ll get your answers once they finish their investigation,” Clark said undeterred by the veiled threats Scardino was making. “You want to move to Metropolis just be sure to give me your address so I can fill it out on the restraining order I’ll be filing.”

“You really think you can get a restraining order on me?” Scardino scoffed, “We both know the only reason you don’t like me is because of a little green-eyed monster. You may not have the guts to make your move on that partner of yours, but …I’m more than capable of delivering where you can’t.”

“Did you get a head injury in the last twelve hours that made you forget the part where she kicked you out last night?” Clark reminded him in disbelief.

“High emotions make for rash decisions.” Scardino shrugged off his dismissal last night, “She didn’t mean it.” Scardino then turned his attention back to the case, “How did you know McCarthy was with Gables?”

“A source,” Clark threw back irritably.

“Name?” Scardino prompted.

“None of your concern,” Clark shrugged, gesturing toward the door, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m already running behind this morning and I don’t have anything left to say to you.”

“Trust me this conversation is no picnic for me either,” Scardino growled back irritably. “Unlike you, I …” He stopped mid-sentence and lurched his neck over to where Lois was standing in the doorway of the bedroom with her arms crossed over her chest. Clark watched Scardino’s eyes wander over Lois’ long legs poking out from beneath the oversized t-shirt she wore over her shorts. A knowing look crossed Scardino’s face, “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” Scardino gave her a leering look and then turned his attention to Clark, “You two are…?”

“None of your damn business.” Clark cut him off with a growl, pointing at the door.

“What about my case?” Scardino shot back.

“What about it?” Lois cut in, shaking her head.

“How did you find McCarthy?” Scardino pointed at the paper.

Lois took the paper and scanned it, her brow furrowing for a moment before responding, “I’m sure if you ask Bill Henderson real nicely he can help you out.”

“He’s not!” Scardino looked toward Clark, “And your boyfriend over here is holding out on information for an active DEA case.”

Lois didn’t even blink at the label, choosing instead to shrug her shoulders, “Mr. Scardino,”

“Dan,” Scardino corrected.

“In your dreams,” Lois quibbled before picking up on her original train of thought. “You seem awfully determined to prove Clark had something to do with Gables and the other escaped prisoners’ arrest.”

“An anonymous source called in McCarthy and Buster’s location to the Metropolis P.D.” Scardino glared at Clark as he added, “And the Daily Planet is the only one to have the story on it.” He held up the paper and pointed at the by-line. “’Resurrection No More’ by Clark freaking Kent!”

“And Lois Lane,” Clark corrected, placing a hand on Lois’ shoulder.

“We were given information on the arrest after the fact,” She let out a deep sigh and added, “I can guarantee you that Clark and I were nowhere near Gables’ residence when the arrest happened.” Lois gave Clark a wink as she added with a wicked grin, “We were preoccupied all night.”

Scardino shook his head, “But…”

“From the sound of it, the DEA’s expert on the Resurrection pill is behind bars,” Lois said with a raised eyebrow. “Probably a good place to start,” With that, she slapped the paper across Scardino’s chest. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we had a very, very, very long night and I still have to get ready for work.” She pointed at the open door for Scardino to exit. Before Scardino could argue Lois gave him a gentle shove out the door and Clark slammed it behind him.

“’Resurrection No More’? ” A smile spread across Lois’ face as she quoted the leading headline from the story he’d sent in for them last night. She looped her arms around Clark’s neck, pulling him to her, “Someone was busy last night.”

“You didn’t answer when I called.” Clark shrugged, wrapping his arms around her waist. “I had Jimmy show up with his camera just as Superman decided to fly by and help nab the resurrected escapees.”

“Perfectly timed arrest,” Lois grinned back at him.

“I added to the story we wrote and send it over to the Chief last night,” He explained, hoping she wouldn’t be too mad about missing out on the wrapping up of the story. “So hopefully that’ll save us from Perry’s wrath for being late this morning.”

“Thanks,” she grinned back at him.

“What are partners for, right?” he whispered, leaning in to capture her lips with his. He grinned against her lips, reveling in the feeling of contentment that came with the knowledge that he could finally be himself completely with her. He briefly wondered just how long she'd make him wait before he could convince her to take a trip down to the jewelry store on Broad Street.

"Right," Lois murmured against his lips. "We're going to be late."

"We're already late," he reminded her.

"True," an impish grin crossed her face as she pulled him to her. "Might as well earn those dog show articles, right?" With that, she recaptured his mouth with hers in a soul-shattering kiss. All thought of the Planet and last night's emotional rollercoaster disappeared as he concentrated on the path back to the bedroom she was leading him on.

"And obituaries," he added as she loosened his tie.

"So worth it," she grinned back at him. A smile spread across his lips. Things would definitely be interesting around here.

~ The End


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