My response is going to be short this time, and I guess that mostly means that I like this part a lot, and I have no complaints!
(Ehhh... maybe I'm not so happy about the very last sentence, though?)
I found it a little harder to concentrate on the A-plot this time, but I'm not worried. You have handled the A-plot beautifully so far. I don't doubt that you will bring the A-plot to a very satisfying conclusion.
And it was a joy to see Henderson! Nice old gruff Henderson. Gotta love him. I was definitely very glad that he didn't hug anybody! But Lois hugged him!
This was absolutely great:
Lois smiled at him as he walked out the door and then turned back around to face Clark. For a moment, neither of them said anything. I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but I really want you to be happy, Lois. Clark's words from yesterday came back to Lois when she saw Clark's face as she turned around. He had watched her interaction with Henderson with a smile. He looked happier in this instant than Lois had seen him since the awful night in the club. He looked… he looked like Clark again. He was not busy trying to run her life, or beating himself up over his having done so in the past. He was not awkward and shy trying not to upset her. He was just Clark. Clark, who loved her and loved to see her happy. While she had gotten brief glimpses of that man in recent days, this was the first time she truly felt like he was there with her. His smile made it clearer than any of his words had that he did love her, even if he was a lunkhead who had made some pretty major mistakes.
Clark sees Lois being happy, and he feels so happy because Lois is happy, and Lois is so happy that Clark is happy... really, you made me feel how these two people savor one another's happiness. How nothing makes them happier than seeing the other one being joyful. <sniffle><happy tears>
In alarm, Lois noticed the smile drop off Clark's face as he moved forward. He wrapped his arms around her, resting his head on top of hers asking, “What's wrong, Lois?”
“Wrong?” she asked, her words muffled in his shirt. “Nothing's wrong.”
Clark moved away slightly to look into her eyes and asked, “Then why are you crying?”
Oh, wow!
I almost got tears in my eyes because Lois and Clark were so happy about each other's happiness. And now you show me that
Lois cried about Clark's happiness, about his return to himself, too!
“What?” Lois asked, moving a hand up to her cheek. To her surprise it came away wet. “I don't know,” Lois said. “It was just…” In an instant, though, Lois knew exactly why she had been crying. “It's just that I missed you so much.”
Clark laughed lightly, pulling her back into his arms. “But I'm right here, Lois. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere.”
Lois said nothing for a moment, not ready to fully explain what she was thinking. Finally she took a deep breath, and whispered, “I know. I didn't mean now.”
She felt Clark's reaction immediately. His whole body seemed softer somehow and she could feel his chest get slightly further away from her as his shoulders slumped. “I'm so sorry, Lois,” he whispered into her hair. “If I could go back…”
Oh no. She couldn't explain why she had been crying, and now he is beating himself up again.
“Don't, Clark,” she commanded as she pulled away to look at him. When she could tell he was about to apologize again, she stopped him. She leaned forward onto her toes and pressed her lips to his.
She kissed him!!!!
“You didn't mean to do that,” he whispered, an undercurrent of breathlessness in his words.
Lois stared at him, a bit unsure of what had happened. Then she backed away from him, breaking their embrace. “No,” she whispered, a bit breathless herself. “I didn't.”
She moved a few steps further back and then looking solidly at her feet, she said, “I need to go.” Without looking at Clark, she grabbed her purse and was out the door.
Oh no! She took it back!
Okay, I think it's time for Lois and Clark to start believing in their love for one another now, anonpip!
Ann
