Author's Notes: This is a vignette of a story that was submitted to M.L. Thompson July, 2004 as part of the "World Tour" anthology and is on the Archive as a description of one of Lois' and Clark's continuing mini-honeymoons throughout their first year. The usual disclaimers apply._____________________
A person with a very powerful telescope could have seen the bright red figure on the top of Mt. Tallac overlooking Lake Tahoe, but they would not have observed the small additional figure enveloped in the red cape. Clark hugged Lois back to his chest as they watched the sun rise over the Sierra Nevada, the shadow-line retreating before the assault of the new May day. As the forest was warmed by the sunlight, the aroma of pine began to ascend to the heights.
Below them, still in darkness was small, tranquil Fallen Leaf Lake. To their left and north was the vast expanse of the 10th largest lake in the world and the deepest lake in the United States. The water was so clear that even Lois could see the lake bottom near the shoreline. Clark, if he chose, could have tracked the large sport fish deep in the lake, or even perhaps the fabled "Tahoe Tessie", their version of the Loch Ness Monster. Right now he chose to nibble gently on his wife's ears, switching conscientiously from right to left and back again. It was cold up here, he reasoned, and he was keeping her ears warm. He could hear her purring softly from his ministrations.
"Happy Anniversary."
Lois giggled. "How many have we had this year?"
"I've lost count," Clark breathed. "You warm enough?"
Lois nodded, then laid her head back on his shoulder, opening the right side of her neck and right shoulder for more attention. He obliged contentedly, and then softly stroked her arms under his cape. Her hands were occupied holding it together in front. Clark slid his arms down hers and hugged her more tightly to him. It was so wonderful to feel her here with him, enjoying one of his favorite sights, the wonder magnified with the sharing.
She watched in contentment as the town of South Lake Tahoe was slowly revealed to them, a curtain rising on a new day. The town began to come alive with traffic.
"It's still early," he said softly in her ear, "and I have something I want to show you before the visitors come."
Lois let loose of the cape and turned in his arms, reaching up to his neck and head, presenting her lips for a kiss. "You're the tour director here. Whatever you want."
"And I want a *lot*," he growled before kissing her thoroughly. Lois giggled softly as he scooped her up to fly away. "First, I'm going to change into something a little less...flamboyant." He flew down the mountain to the unpopulated north end of Fallen Leaf Lake, stepped into the cover of the trees and spun into blue jeans, black T-shirt and windbreaker. He stepped back to her to see her transfixed by the perfect sight of the glass smooth lake fringed by rustic cabins and small boats reflected on the water.
"How perfect is that," Lois stated as he resumed his previous posture of hugging her back into him.
He looked out at the view too. "As perfect as the woman watching it with me. And I have something better yet to come."
Lois looked up at him, "You always do."
"Sweet talking will get you anything, my dear. Come on, there's more. For this, I want you to close your eyes until we get there."
Lois gladly obliged and snuggled her head under his chin as he scooped her up once more. It was a short flight until she felt the ground under her feet again and once more was held with her back against his chest.
"O.K. Open them."
She opened her eyes and gasped. "It's gorgeous." She was standing in small, unroofed enclosure looking toward the opening of a small bay. Looking around, she saw they were on a steep island in the center of the bay. The ground on top was smooth and she stepped away from him to take in the full panorama around them. The hillside of the bay was very steep with small boat anchorages along the shore of the emerald colored water. Nestled in the trees at the head of the bay was an imposing but rugged structure.
"A castle!" Lois gasped.
Clark stepped into exaggerated tour guide mode. "It's a grand summer villa modeled on a Scandinavian castle circa 800 A.D. Vikingsholm, which is *only* accessible by boat, on foot..." Clark looked at her and winked, "or air, was built by Mrs. Lora Knight, a wealthy Chicago widow, in 1928, as a summer home. This island, called Fannette Island, is the only island in Lake Tahoe." Clark then took Lois' right hand in his left and pulled her around the little pergola, gesturing grandly with this right arm as if to present the splendor of their view to her. "This is Emerald Bay, now a state park in Lake Tahoe."
"Oh, Clark, it's wonderful." It was as if he had presented a perfect jewel to her. She turned to him and laid her hand on his chest in a familiar gesture from their first days together as partners. Enthusiastically, Lois exclaimed, "This whole tour idea has been absolutely wonderful! I love seeing where you have been, what sights you enjoy, and," her voice lowered suggestively, "what things you like."
For his part, beyond sharing things he enjoyed with Lois, Clark loved seeing this side of her, childlike and enthusiastic. The hard-bitten, cynical reporter had left the building for the day and he loved it. The light in her eyes and her joyful expression drew him in like a moth to a flame and he kissed her very thoroughly.
"Clark, we just did that. We just left home a short time ago," Lois mock protested.
Clark broke off the kiss, grinning as he said, "Ah, but I can never get enough of my beautiful wife. God, I *love* calling you my wife."
In reward for the comment, Lois reached up and placed both hands on the sides of his face and pulled his head down for another kiss. Suddenly her stomach let out a large growl and she began to giggle. "I think we forgot breakfast in the excitement of getting out of Metropolis."
"Never let it be said I starved my wife for anything," he winked again, "even food. How about a visit to Pancake House?"
Lois' eyes got large, "They have a Pancake House here?"
"And hotels and casinos on the Nevada side, and stores and businesses of all kind. And people who live here year round," he teased.
Lois turned and looked at the view again. "Imagine living and looking at this beauty every day."
"I *am* looking at it," Clark said as he stared directly at her.
"Oh, you, you *honeymooner*, you." She kissed him again lightly. "But don't ever quit."
"No chance of that." Clark looked around to spot any early morning, early season sightseers on the road across the way, and seeing no one, picked up Lois and flew back toward the town of South Lake Tahoe. Businesses were along Highway 50 for the most part, framed by tall pine trees on one side and lake on the other. He landed in the trees behind Pancake House and Lois and Clark casually strolled hand in hand onto the parking lot and to the front door of the Pancake House.
Clark was in absolute heaven and a silly grin seemed permanently etched onto his face. He loved sitting here across from Lois, so he could watch her, in an ordinary restaurant in an ordinary town doing what ordinary, normal people do. It was his dream and Lois had fulfilled it for him. She was hungry, he noted, as he watched her tuck into a big plate of waffles enthusiastically. Traveling gave her an appetite, it seemed.
She caught him watching her. "What?"
"I just enjoy watching you enjoy your meal."
She blushed at the attention. "You seem to enjoy everything I do. I never had that before." She smiled, and then gestured at his plate now empty of the three-egg California omelet, hash browns and sourdough toast. "And I notice you are up to your usual standards."
"Well, traveling takes a lot out of me."
Lois just kept herself from spraying a mouthful of waffle onto her plate as she erupted in helpless giggles. He just made her feel so wonderful with everything he did and said. She *felt* like a honeymooner.
As Lois watched Clark pay their bill at the cash register, she felt a sudden wave of pride and of possessiveness. He was hers, and he loved her. Going out like this just seemed so right for them, so ordinary. That was why these weekend vacations were so wonderful. They had time to themselves. She never in her life imagined she would feel this way, wanting a life over her job. Well, now she had both, with him.
THE END
Artemis
