From Chapter Nine:She pushed her skirt down, and it dropped to the floor. His eyes didn't follow it, couldn't follow it, riveted as they were on the sight before him... ivory skin, black lace... He tried to say something, but all that came out was a strangled moan of longing.
"Go on, Clark. Lose control. I know you can't hurt me - prove it to yourself, as well."
She stepped forward and settled herself astride his lap. His arms wrapped themselves around her and with a groan he finally gave in.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Table of Contents Comments Chapter Ten: Feelin' GroovyMaking love with Superman could become slightly surreal, Lois discovered.
Clark swivelled to lay her down on the couch. Gently, almost reverently at first - and then, as she responded, with desperate hunger - his mouth moved over her skin, trailing fire in its wake.
Her jacket slithered down the back of the couch and fell on top of them. There was a muffled exclamation of annoyance from within its folds, and then the room blurred...
... and when it cleared again, Lois was looking up at what had to be Clark's bedroom ceiling. Clark laid her gently on the bed, floated up into the air and then spun into a blur, reappearing a split second later without his clothes.
This time, the glasses had gone.
Lois barely had time to register the change before a light wind seemed to pass around her, and then her underwear, too, had vanished. Then Clark's arms came around her and his mouth descended on hers, and conscious thought was swept away by the storm of feeling he was arousing in her body and in her heart.
Strange, she thought dreamily, a good while later.
Incredible...
She'd never have guessed that their lovemaking could get any more wonderful. But then, she'd never before made love with a man she was completely and wholeheartedly in love with. The man she planned to spend the rest of her life with, for better or for worse...
It was as though they'd fused into one being, somehow. Every movement, every caress, every word had stoked the fire of their love until it had burnt brighter than anything Lois could have imagined, consuming them both. For a time, nothing else had existed in her universe but Clark and their love. So different from before, when she'd been acting out the part of a lover, hoping nervously that she was doing it right... like the difference between sailing a boat and swimming in the waves.
Between flying in a plane and flying in Superman's arms...
Superman who had, incredibly, turned out to be Clark in disguise. The implications of that were something she hadn't yet had the time to consider, but she filed the thought away for later. For now, it was enough to be lying here with Clark, in the afterglow of their lovemaking.
She sighed her utter contentment. Clark's body was still sprawled on top of hers, warm and solid in her arms, yet not oppressively heavy. His superpowers again? They could come in useful in a host of ways she'd never thought of before...
Clark stirred, pressing a soft kiss into her hair. He let out a sigh to match hers. "Lois... I love you."
She brushed her fingertips over the curve of his shoulder. She'd been dreaming of this, every night for the last month... "I love you too, Clark."
His arms tightened around her. After a moment, she realised his whole body was quivering. Something touched her cheek, rolled down it. She lifted a hand to brush it away, and her fingers came away wet. "Clark?"
"Oh, God, Lois..." he whispered into her hair. "I thought I'd lost you forever." He rolled away from her, scrubbing at his eyes with the back of his hand. "Look at me - some superhero, huh?"
She bit her lip. "Clark, stop that! You're the strongest person I know! And I don't mean just physically." She reached out and cupped his face in her hands. "What you do for us - giving your time and energy, getting rid of asteroids, rescuing people, stopping muggers and bank robbers and preventing foolhardy journalists from getting themselves killed..." That earned her a faint smile. "... and having to juggle your day job to do it, it's just, well... awesome. And the things you must have seen... A lesser man would crack under the strain."
He was blushing faintly, his eyes lowered as he considered her words. "And that's even before what I did to you," she went on bitterly. His eyes leapt to hers. "The way I..."
"Oh, Lois, don't!" He cupped his hand over hers, lifted it so he could press a kiss into her palm. "You weren't the only one at fault. If I'd just been honest with you, instead of thinking I knew what was best for you..." She could see the sincerity in his eyes - he really had forgiven her. She felt a rush of humbled awe.
"What matters is that you're here now," he said. Then his eyes slid down her body to her abdomen, and he looked suddenly solemn.
She had to ask. "Clark - you are pleased, aren't you? About the baby?"
He smiled slowly, and she caught her breath. It was like the sun coming up in his face. "I can't tell you how pleased I am, Lois! I'm... thrilled. And astonished. Flabbergasted. And just a bit scared. But mostly thrilled." A thought struck him, and the smile dimmed. "Uh, you are going to let me, I mean, you want me to help..."
"Help bring it up?" She frowned thoughtfully. "Well, I guess we can probably make some sort of arrangement. As long as you promise to change all the diapers, especially the middle-of-the-night ones, and clean up when it's sick, and cook all the meals, and bring me coffee whenever I - no, Clark! No tickling - pregnant woman here, remember..." She squealed and counter-attacked, and they wrestled for a while, laughing, before Clark managed to pin her to the bed and kiss her until she was breathless.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She was here, in his bed, in his arms. It was bliss; it was something he'd thought he would never experience again.
It still wasn't enough.
He couldn't bear the thought of parting from her. Not now, not ever. He'd asked her to marry him... and she'd had a condition.
Clark raised his head. "Lois..." He smoothed her hair back from her face, tucked a strand behind her ear. "What you said about running away... I can't guarantee I'll always be there when you need me. Or that I won't have to rush out in the middle of something because someone screams for help. But I can promise this - I'll always come back to you."
"Oh, Clark." Her voice was shaky, her eyes huge and earnest. "I just didn't understand. Now I know why... well, I don't know how easy it's going to be to share you with the rest of the world, but we'll work it out somehow." Her lips curved. "I do know you're nothing like my father."
He pressed his lips to her forehead, smiling wryly. "Praise indeed."
She pushed him away a little so that she could look up into his face. "So, if you're going to be Superman again - did my therapy work?" He frowned, confused. "Did you lose control?"
"Oh..." He pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Yes and no."
"What does that mean?"
"No, because I could have stopped - if you hadn't wanted it just as much as I did." In some strange way, he'd almost been able to feel her presence within him, urging him on to greater passion. "I felt more in control this time than I ever have before. I guess..." He smiled. "... for the first time, my brain and my body were pulling in the same direction. Instead of my body being unable to resist you and my brain telling me I shouldn't be doing it and you were going to kill me when you found out I'd been lying to you."
"Oh," she said in a small voice, looking contrite.
He hadn't meant to pile on any more guilt. "And yes, because even though I was scared to touch you, I still couldn't help myself... I think I finally gave up fighting you." He stroked his thumb down her cheekbone, searching her eyes and finding her indomitable courage there. The cornerstone of his own strength. "You don't know what you've meant to me, Lois. To Superman. You gave me the idea when you told me to bring a change of clothes to work... you formed him when you said he wouldn't cheat, or lie. And you've kept me going so many times when I would have given up. So if you still believe in him... in me... I guess I can't do any less."
"Oh, Clark..." There was a tear sliding down her cheek. He brushed it away.
"So... now that you know the worst about me... will you marry me, Lois?"
She gazed up at him. He could see love and fear warring in her eyes. "Don't you think it's too soon?" she asked worriedly. "I mean, you haven't even tried living with me, and I can be really difficult..."
He grinned crookedly at her. "I've tried living without you, and I don't think I can manage it any longer. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And our child - I want him or her to grow up in a proper family, Lois. With two full-time, totally committed parents. Maybe it won't be easy learning to live together, but we'll work it out."
Another tear was trickling down her face. "Okay." She smiled at him, the love winning out at last. "Yes, Clark Kent, I will marry you. As soon as possible."
His eyebrows shot up. "As soon as possible? Are you sure?"
"What - you changed your mind already?"
He grinned. "Not a chance. But don't you want a fancy wedding with bridesmaids and everything?"
"No!" Lois made a face. "Give my mother half a chance and she'll make it into a society occasion, in the cathedral, with massed choirs and rose petals and pageboys, and half of Metropolis will be sitting there whispering about how awful my dress looks and how much it cost and whether that's a bump under it - ugh!" She shuddered. "No, I think we should get a licence tomorrow and do it as quietly as possible. And we'll have to find someone to marry us. I wonder if you can get an appointment at the registry office the same day? I suppose we'd better invite my parents... if we can track down my father in time."
"And Superman can fly my parents in for the day. That sounds perfect." Clark grinned at her. "Good thing New Troy doesn't have a waiting period for marriage licences, huh?"
"Even better that we don't need to take a blood test," she retorted. "Wouldn't that be fun, having some poor nurse trying to stick a needle in you?" He laughed. "I can't wait to see everyone's faces on Monday," Lois went on happily, "when we walk in wearing wed-- oh!"
"Oh?"
"I just remembered something." She fixed him with a stern look. "Clark, there's one thing we haven't discussed. I'm not going to get married to a freeloader. My child's father had better have a job."
"Oh!" The resignation letter... He coloured guiltily. "You know about that. I... I didn't think you'd ever want to see me again after what I did today..."
"Well, you thought wrong. I want my partner back, Clark. I was planning on riding your coat-tails to my next Kerth."
He chuckled wryly. "Do you think Perry will hire me back?"
"How do you think I found out about it? He called me into his office when I got back from the courthouse, waved your letter at me and told me he was considering whether to accept your resignation. I told him I'd do my best to change your mind about leaving."
Clark gave a relieved sigh. "You've got everything sorted out, haven't you? I can hardly believe it - a couple of hours ago, my life was in ruins and I was about to leave Metropolis. Now everything's wonderful... perfect." He kissed her and then laid his head on her shoulder. "Heavenly." Her heart was beating steadily, comfortingly, under his ear. His eyes drifted shut.
He still had questions - what did this endo-thingy mean? Would Lois have long-term health problems? Would they be able to have more children? - but for now, they didn't seem important. There was still something nagging at his conscience, though... oh, yes...
"I guess I should go on patrol," he mumbled. "Didn't go earlier."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lois lay quietly, enjoying the feeling of his arms around her. Perfect. Heavenly. In a moment he would get up, put on the Superman suit - she was looking forward to that! - and fly off on his patrol, but for now this was enough.
They'd come so close to losing each other. The thought of being without Clark made her feel physically sick... or perhaps that was just the baby.
Clark's baby.
Superman's baby.
Would he, or she, have super-powers? Lois knew so little about what being a Kryptonian meant, biologically speaking. "Clark?"
There was no answer. Clark's chest was rising and falling slowly, rhythmically. For the first time for who knew how long - since the night of their date, Lois guessed guiltily - he looked at peace.
On the nightstand beside the bed, the phone rang. Clark's brow furrowed and his hand twitched. Reflexively, before it could ring a second time, Lois snatched it up. Then she froze, the receiver halfway to her ear.
Who was likely to be calling Clark? What was she going to say to them?
The receiver chirruped questioningly. Lois lifted it to her ear. "Clark Kent's apartment," she said in a low voice.
"Oh! I... Hi, it's Martha Kent. Could I speak to Clark, please?"
Oh God... Clark's mother. Lois had to steel herself for hours, sometimes days, before calling her own mother, and now she had to explain to Clark's mother that he'd fallen asleep after...
"Hi, Mrs Kent. This is Lois Lane, we met, uh..." Mrs Kent? She would be Mrs Kent if she married Clark...
"Lois!" The voice warmed instantly into enthusiasm. "Of course I remember you! And please, it's still Martha. How are you?"
"Fine, I'm fine. How are you? How's the f--" Fax machine? "- farm?"
"Oh, very quiet at this season. I've been taking a few art classes..." As Martha talked, Lois tried to get a hold on her skittering thoughts. What had Clark told his parents about her? It wouldn't have occurred to Lois to share any confidences about Clark with her mother, but Clark seemed to have a much closer relationship with his parents. On the other hand, Martha was chatting casually, seemingly unaware of any problems between Lois and her son.
"Lois?"
"What? Uh, I'm sorry, Martha, I..."
Martha laughed. "Is Clark there?"
"Yes. Uh, no. Uh..." Lois gulped. She prodded Clark's shoulder gently; he gave a half-smile and let out a sigh that sounded like "'oisss...", but otherwise he didn't move.
What on earth was she supposed to say to his mother? He was out interviewing a source, or having his hair cut, or... come to think of it, who did cut his hair?
"Lois?"
"Actually, Martha, he is here, but he's asleep." Lois shifted Clark's arm off her and sat up. He didn't stir. "We were, uh, having coffee and he just dropped off. He was looking exhausted, so I'd rather not wake him..." That sounded awfully proprietorial, Lois thought, flustered. Would Martha notice? "Should I ask him to call you back?"
"Yes, okay. I really just called to ask, well... Lois, does he seem all right to you? I mean, it's not like him to be so tired - has he been on stakeout a lot, or something?"
"I'm sure he's fine, Martha," Lois began, then hesitated. Should she be issuing the sort of kneejerk reassurance she gave whenever her own mother called to fuss about Lucy? After all, Superman was invulnerable, so Clark's health was annoyingly perfect - it was understandable that Martha would worry if he suddenly seemed unwell. But how did Clark feel about his mother fussing over him? Would he mind his girlfr... his fian... would he mind Lois discussing his health with her?
And what could she wear? She was starting to feel uncomfortable talking to Martha with no clothes on.
Martha broke the awkward silence. "I'm glad to hear that," she said, obviously unconvinced. She gave a nervous laugh. "I dare say I sound like an old mother hen, but we just haven't heard much from Clark in the last month or so." And that was her fault, Lois thought guiltily. "We're used to see... uh, speaking to him regularly, you know..."
"Oh!" Another piece of the puzzle fell into place. "Of course - Clark can come to see you any time, can't he?" And, unlike Lois, he was close to his parents - no doubt he flew to Kansas regularly. Probably flew in for a home-cooked dinner every week.
What was Martha going to make of her precious only son getting married in such a hurry, to the partner who'd been so rude and dismissive when she'd met his parents? Lois felt a sudden chill.
There'd been a tense pause on the other end of the phone. "I'm not sure what you mean, dear," Martha said now, in a gallant attempt at a light tone. "Clark doesn't get that much leave -"
"Martha, it's okay," Lois said reassuringly. "He told me about it earlier this evening."
"Really?" Martha actually sounded more pleased than shocked, and Lois felt herself relax slightly. Maybe Clark's mother didn't detest her. "Oh, Lois, I'm so glad. He's found it so hard, leading a double life, having to think up excuses all the time - it'll be much easier now you know."
Lois hadn't even thought of that aspect. "I guess it will."
"Are you mad at him for lying to you about it?" Martha asked shrewdly.
"No. Yes. Oh, I don't know... I'm still trying to take it in! I was pretty awful to him when he first arrived, you know, so I can understand why he wouldn't tell me - and obviously I'm a journalist, and he didn't have any reason to trust - but he pretended to be two people! He even kissed - when he was Superman, that is - I'm a bit mad at myself for not guessing, to tell you the truth. I mean, a pair of glasses and a hairstyle - though of course, that suit is really distracting, so you don't really look at his face, but I guess you know that, because Clark said you made it - and he must have to change clothes really quickly, I never thought about that before - does he do that spin thing? And where do his clothes go when he does that, and does he have to keep his bedroom so obsessively neat? There isn't even a T-shirt lying around that I can put on, and omigod, I can't believe I just said that aloud..."
"I think he hangs his robe on the back of the bathroom door, dear," Martha said with the barest hint of a tremor in her voice.
"Thank you." Blushing furiously, Lois retrieved the robe and slipped it on, juggling the phone, then went to sit on the couch where her voice wouldn't disturb Clark... or the sight of him disturb her equilibrium. Was Martha horrified? Upset? "Martha..."
"It's been obvious for a while that Clark has feelings for you, Lois," Martha said matter-of-factly. "Even though he never said anything about it. He didn't seem to think he stood much chance with you."
And he hadn't, of course. Lois bit her lip, remembering again how she'd warned him off. She'd have run a mile if he'd suggested a date... until she'd decided she could use him for her own purposes...
"Then, a few weeks ago, he said you'd had a fight, and he seemed very depressed about it. He wouldn't say what it was about, and we hardly saw him after that. He went to New York for a while, of course, but he usually... Anyway, I'm very glad you've made up. You're obviously very important to him."
"He's important to me, too. But yes... we had a lot of things to get out in the open." Lois caught herself up, blushing again.
But Martha didn't seem to have noticed. "I know he always felt bad about having to lie to you," she said soothingly. "He's a very truthful person at heart, you know."
"I guess I did know that. I always believed Superman stood for truth and justice. It's just hard reconciling that with Clark..."
"Lois..." For the first time, Martha sounded concerned. "I know we give Clark a hard time when he talks about Superman in the third person, but... well... don't make the mistake of thinking they're just the same."
Martha knew she'd been star-struck by Superman, Lois realised suddenly. She was worried that Lois had simply transferred her crush to Clark. If she only knew... "I think I know what you mean," she said. "Clark is so much more, isn't he? Superman's really just a sort of caricature. But he wouldn't be what he is if Clark didn't have the same qualities."
There was a brief pause, and when Martha spoke again, Lois could hear the relief in her voice. "You know, Lois, I've always worried about Clark being able to find someone who really understands him. Both sides of him. But then, from the first time he mentioned you, his father and I knew you were someone special."
"Oh, Martha..." Lois felt her eyes prickling. "You know, if you were my mother, you'd have torn several strips off me by now. Clark is very lucky." She couldn't keep a wistful note out of her voice.
"We just want him to be happy," Martha said gently. "It's what most parents want for their children, Lois - your mother too, I'm sure. We just have different ways of showing it. And with Clark being so... unusual, we've wondered at times if he'd ever find somewhere and someone that was right for him."
"I can hardly imagine what it's been like, bringing up someone so different!" But she might be finding out for herself soon, Lois thought, putting a protective hand over her stomach. "How did you - I mean, you're just regular - you aren't -"
Martha laughed. "No, we're just ordinary Kansas farmers. We found Clark in a crashed space ship when he was a few months old - didn't he tell you?"
"No, he didn't mention that... we were talking about other stuff, and then he, we..."
"You were having coffee. Of course, I forgot." Martha seemed to be having difficulty with her breathing, and broke off to cough. "Well, it was a bit of a shock when he started developing all sorts of strange abilities. We didn't even know till a few months ago that he was from a different planet - we thought he was some sort of weird Russian experiment."
"Really? Wow..."
"You know, Lois, we were hoping Clark might come over for dinner tomorrow night - why don't you get him to bring you? We can tell you all about it, and I'll even show you the pictures, if he'll let me. He was such a cute baby..."
She could well believe that, Lois thought. But... "Uh, Martha - I know Clark was going to tell you himself, but, well, since you called..." She took a deep breath. "We were hoping, if you don't have plans for tomorrow, that you might be able to come to Metropolis - Clark said he would come and get you -" Her throat was tight, her mouth dry, but she managed to finish in a nervous squeak, "- because we're getting married."
There was a breathless pause, and then Martha gave a sort of crow. "Lois! That's wonderful news, honey - Jonathan! Wait till I tell Clark's father! Oh, I couldn't be happier, Lois. Jonathan! You're going to have to tell us all about it tomorrow..."
She would leave that part to Clark, Lois thought, brushing at her eyes as Martha continued to babble delightedly. After they'd decided what, if anything, to say about the baby to their respective parents...
"What time should we expect him, Lois?"
"I... I don't actually know," Lois confessed with a laugh. "We don't know where or when yet. We might even have to go to Vegas, if we can't find anyone who can do it here. At least we don't have to worry about air fares!"
"That's true." Martha chuckled. "Well, maybe I'd better let you get on with your planning, while I find Jonathan and give him the news. Getting married..." Lois could almost hear her shaking her head. "When that son of mine wakes up, give him a kiss from me and tell him just how lucky he is... and tell him to call us in the morning."
"I will. Bye, Martha - see you tomorrow."
Lois rang off, shaking with delayed nerves. She seemed to have passed the test, with Martha at least... and perhaps it was just as well she'd been caught by surprise this evening, before she'd had time to get worked up about what Clark's parents would think.
Clark was unlikely to have as easy a time with Lois's mother. Would he be as nervous as Lois? She had a feeling his calm good sense would be more than a match for Ellen, once he'd had a good night's sleep.
She tiptoed as far as the archway to the bedroom, to check on him, and had to suppress a gasp. He was still fast asleep, but now he was floating a couple of inches above the bed.
Hadn't he worried about giving himself away by spending the weekend in a hotel room with her? Probably... but she hadn't given him much choice. And he'd always been awake long before her - she'd never actually seen him sleeping till now.
And the sight was starting to interfere with her breathing. Lois gave a last, lingering look and turned back to the couch. In a while she'd go through there and put him to bed, cuddle up beside him and see what the night would bring... but first, she'd order a takeout pizza. He might not need to eat much - if at all - but she was suddenly starving. Clark probably didn't have a pizza delivery service on speed dial, the way she did, but he'd have the latest Metropolis phone book neatly filed away somewhere.
But before that... She picked up the phone and dialled a Planet number.
"Perry? How did I know you'd still be in your office? You should take more time off, you know... Yes, I've spoken to him, and he's changed his mind about leaving... No, I doubt he'll be back before Monday. Maybe even the Monday after. And speaking of time off, I want to take some, too... I know I had a weekend last month, Perry, but come on - before that, when did I last take a vacation? It's not as if I'll be going on my honeymoon every other week... Yes, I did say honeymoon." She broke off, chuckling, and held the phone a little way from her ear to dampen the shout from the other end of the line. "What's that? Tomorrow, as soon as we can get a licence and find someone to marry us... Really? Church of the
what did you say? Perry, I'd love that. I'll mention it to Clark as soon as he, uh, gets back with the pizza... I'll call you tomorrow, then. Night..."
The End.
Copyright 2004 Meredith Knight*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Auhor's Note: I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the originator of the endometriosis challenge for sparking off this story, and to my faithful BRs, Wendy, Yvonne, Pam and Annette, for helping me to keep going and to get it right. Also to LabRat for her enormous help on the gfic conversion. Thanks, guys - you're the best!
Mere
