He drew in a deep breath, reveling in the familiar sights, smells, and sounds of the newsroom.
The cloying cloud of perfume from Cat. The heavy scent of cheap peppermint schnaps sprinkled with bits of vomit from Ralph. The Elvis jingles wafting out from Perry’s office. And Lois’s rump.
But above all, she was there. Lois. Her steadily beating heart drew him like a magnet. Even after all this time, the sound of her heartbeat intoxicated him. It soothed him. It gave his life meaning and beauty.
Awwww… Although, let’s hope he does press conferences always from behind a podium.
But Clark had countered with the fact that he was literally climbing the walls of his apartment,
Quite literally. The ceiling was never that clean before.
Clark had never been so happy to have his powers in all his life. He had felt lost without them.
/makes note to remind Clark of that the next time he curses them/
But then she would leave again, though she always stayed as long and as late as she could.
Hey! She *could* have stayed the night.
But, well, did you ever figure out just why that psycho took you hostage?"
Yep. Surprise birthday party.
But, for anyone to think you could use that skill to undermine governments..." He shook his head, still laughing.
/points at Preston Carpenter/
"So, partner," he said, his eyes twinkling. "Shall we get to work trying to change the world?"
LOIS: /pulls out photograph of Call-Me-Daniel/ Umm…no?
"Lois, do you have to know everything at every moment? Can't you just be surprised for once?"
No?
He'd flown with Lois before, of course. But tonight was different. Tonight he would be sharing a very special place with her.
Near space?
CLARK: Lois? Lois! *LOIS*!
LOIS: /face frozen over, eyes burst open/
![[Linked Image]](http://cosgan.de/images/midi/muede/p013.gif)
A few minutes later, Clark altered the angle of his flight path, easing them down onto the sandy beach of a tiny, uninhabited island.
Ooooh! Clothing optional beach!
You've become my refuge, the calm in the center of the storm that makes up life. You recharge me. You're my home. Everything I need, or could possibly ever need, I've found in you, Lois. I love you. I have, ever since the very first time I saw you."
Sounds like a proposal is coming up.
LOIS:
![[Linked Image]](http://cosgan.de/images/smilie/konfus/g040.gif)
Clark dropped to one knee in the sand, a small black velvet box appearing from where he'd hidden it in his pants pocket.
"Say you'll marry me, Lois. Say you'll let me spend the rest of my life at your side."
LOIS:
![[Linked Image]](http://cosgan.de/images/smilie/frech/s020.gif)
For a long while, all they could do was trade kisses. They could not speak, not even each other's names. They could not get enough of one another. But eventually, they pulled apart, needing to breathe, needing to calm their racing hearts.
Sounds like they just made fireworks.
"You can change behind that screen of trees," Clark said, pointing again. "I won't peek."
Silk?
Half a block away, Lex Tower was burning.
That’s fun. Did the government set the building ablaze to hide the bunkers and destroy the remaining evidence?
"Okay," she said, unable to argue with him. Then she fixed him with a look that clearly pleaded with him to be careful.
/wonders who she’s learned that look from
/
"I'm telling you. There's a guy in there, helping. I don't know who. His face is all covered in soot and ash. You gotta send some guys up there to help."
So, maybe if Clark dressed all in black and wore a black skimask – or a cowl?
TEMPUS:
![[Linked Image]](http://cosgan.de/images/midi/froehlich/d025.gif)
Lois shook her head. "Not yet. At least, nothing certain. But they suspect arson."
Government coverup.
"That's true," she conceded. "But, God, Clark, I thought you were going to be careful!"
Well, even birth control is not 100% effective.
"Wait, who are you calling?"
Lois grinned at him. "Your mother."
"My mom?"
Lois shrugged. "She's a better seamstress than I am." She started punching in the Kents' phone number on the dial pad.
Michael
