Disclaimer: Those of you who read nfic will realize that tvnerdgirl is also writing a fic about Lois writing a novel - Yes, we just happened to have the same idea at the same time - however the stories aren’t similar otherwise... Sue can verify that, she was the beta for both stories. Oh, and I’ve heard that tvnerdgirl’s fic is really good. So if you read nfic, go check it out – “The Pen Is Mightier Than The Heart”. Now, without further adieu...
Description: Lois is writing another novel. This one mirroring what’s happening in her life. Could real life turn out to be as good as her imagination?
(Story takes place immediately following "The Phoenix")
Novel Idea
By MetroRhodes <deejrhodes@sbcglobal.net>
Rated: PG-13?
Submitted: August, 2006
All characters and settings are the property of DC Comics, Warner Bros., and whoever else can legally lay claim to them. No copyright infringement is intended. This story was written purely for fun, not for profit, but the story is an original idea and belongs to me. A thank you to the writers of Lois & Clark, without them we wouldn’t have this wonderful world to play in.
On this story a very special thank you to Sue for getting out her pointy stick, being brutally honest with me (yes, I know I asked for it), and forcing me to make this story better than it was to begin with. Thank you.
**********
He took her in his arms, engulfing her small frame with his muscular physique. He was so handsome, oh those eyes. Mmm, chocolate didn’t have anything on those dark brown pools. She could get lost in them, drown in them.
She loved the playful way that one piece of hair curled down over his forehead. She reached up, running her hands through the thick, dark mane, enjoying the way it felt as it slid through her fingers, loving the way his breath caught in his throat as her hands came to the ends of it, tugging ever so slightly.
She let out a soft gasp as he nibbled gently at her ear, whispering soft words. Oh, that voice. The way she could feel the deep tones of it in her chest pressed against his. She felt an excited shiver involuntarily flow through her.
Even though as a man he was much stronger than her, she easily overcame him, pushing him to the bed. He wouldn’t resist her, not tonight, not ever. Her hands felt along his muscular chest and down across his perfectly sculpted abdomen before continuing on down his body in further exploration.
A groan escaped his lips and he wrapped her in a close embrace as he turned them over on the bed. He leaned over her, pinning her hands down beside her. She was completely at his mercy. He captured her lips in a long, slow kiss that made her body tremble in anticipation.
“Oh! Yes, Mark! Please don’t stop!”
“Lois?” a voice said.
I tear my eyes away from my screen and look around the room in search of the voice. I soon locate it.
“Lois? What are you doing?” Lucy asks me, looking slightly irritated.
“Um, nothing, nothing really. Did you need something?” I ask her.
“Nothing huh? Well something sure had your attention. I’ve been hollering from the kitchen asking where you keep your peanut butter for the last five minutes. When I didn’t get a response I decided to come check on you.”
I feel myself blush and do my best to keep my body between Lucy and my computer screen. If she found out I was writing a romance novel, I’d never hear the end of it. In truth I’ve tried several times to write a novel, and I’ve written several different ones; I have yet to finish one, though. I started this one yesterday. I had a little inspiration... Mmm, champagne, Clark, the fall to the couch, that body!
I realize Lucy is still standing there staring at me. Okay, what did she want? Oh yeah. “I’m sorry. Just a little something I had to type up. Peanut Butter? Yeah, I think I have some. Hang on, I’ll come find it for you.”
Thankfully Lucy leaves the room, headed back to the kitchen. I glance wistfully at the words I’d been writing. I’ll be back to write more soon, I silently promise as I hit the save button and close the document down from prying eyes.
It’s only been two days and one very long night – two if you count tonight - since the evening with Clark in that condo on the marina. I’d felt the need to work out a little frustration... and a little fantasy. Oh, the way that body had felt when I fell on top of him on the couch.
“Ahem! Peanut butter!” I almost fall out of my chair when I hear Lucy holler from the kitchen. Okay, no more daydreaming for now. I hurry off to the kitchen.
“Sorry, Luce. Here you go,” I say as I dig the jar out from underneath the kitchen sink.
“You keep your peanut butter under the sink?” she asks me.
“I just got it yesterday and didn’t have time to put it away yet. I just threw the whole bag of groceries under there, okay? Satisfied?”
“Not really. You work too much. You need to get out. Live a little. Have some fun.”
“I have fun. What’s fun to you isn’t fun to me,” I tell her a little huffily.
“Oh, and writing a make-believe story about a made-up guy is?” She has one hand on her hip and if her eyebrow was any higher it would come off her face.
“You read my story?” I exclaim.
“Yeah, the little bit you’d written. I got bored today while you were at work. I was playing around on the computer and came across it. You know, that last scene you left me hanging on... Wow. I never knew there was so much passion bottled up in that sensible little façade you show to the world. So, who is he? Who’s Mark?”
“I refuse to discuss this with you. It’s none of your business. I can’t believe you’d go through my stuff like that.”
I’m rewarded for my indignation with a simple shrug of her shoulders.
“Well, you were supposed to take the day off to spend with me,” she complains, pointing a finger at me. “You left me this morning sitting here in your apartment. If you’d actually take a day off once in a while to spend with your only sister when I’m here visiting you, maybe I wouldn’t have to entertain myself.”
“I wouldn’t have had to run off if your ex-boyfriend’s trial and the recapture of Rollie Vale wasn’t such big news right now. That’s your fault.”
“Sure, like the news about Lex isn’t bigger news? You aren’t going to blame this on me, you workaholic. So what’s his last name?”
“Huh?”
“His last name. Mark’s last name. Come on, you can at least give me that much. From what I read earlier it looked like we were going to get to a steamy part. Did you finish that part? Is that what was holding your attention so completely just now?” She giggles a little.
I’m indignant. She’s getting too much pleasure out of humiliating me. “It’s Ghent. And that’s none of your business. I can see I’m going to have to password-protect that file. Oh, and by the way, you aren’t here to visit me, anyway. You moved back here to Metropolis, remember? I can’t help it if you have more free time on your hands than I do.”
She ignores the last part of my statement. “Ghent? That’s a dumb last name, at least for a romance novel. Ghent.”
“What would you know, are you a writer?”
She’s not listening to me. She’s standing there mumbling something to herself. I start to protest her disregard when I realize what she’s mumbling.
“Mark Ghent. Ghent, like Kent. Clark Kent. Mark, Clark. Ha! You’re writing about Clark Kent!” Lucy’s eyes go wide in surprise at her discovery.
“No, I’m not,” I lie. “That’s absurd! He’s my work partner.” It’s a good thing she hasn’t seen one of the other novels I started a while back, ‘The True and Amazing Adventures of Wanda Detroit’; she’d have a field day with that one. Thankfully it’s tucked safely away on my computer at work. Which is where this one should be I guess, but then again I don’t usually have houseguests.
“Uh-huh. Well then, you won’t object if I ask him out to lunch tomorrow.”
“What?” I exclaim.
“Yeah, I figure that since I can’t seem to drag you away from work to do anything fun, I’ll ask Clark. I figure I owe him at least a lunch for the way Johnny roughed him up. I never really got to apologize to him for that. Poor guy, I know he doesn’t get any sympathy from you. So, you don’t mind?”
“Mind? No. Why would I mind? Don’t be silly.” What does she mean - ‘he doesn’t get any sympathy from me’? I saved his life, after all, didn’t I?
I shift uncomfortably under Lucy’s probing gaze. The thought of Lucy and Clark going out to lunch is making my blood pressure rise. What’s wrong with me? Am I... jealous? How ridiculous! Jealous? Over Clark? Preposterous. I mean it’s not like Clark and I are actually dating or anything. I mean he did ask me out, and we almost had a date; but it’s not like we’re *officially* dating or anything. Why shouldn’t Lucy go out to lunch with him? Why am I even worried? Mayson is a bigger threat than Lucy is. Wait. What am I saying? I am jealous! Over Clark! I’m acting like a jealous, possessive, insecure...
“Great! I’ll come by tomorrow morning then,” Lucy says, cutting into my inner babbling. She walks off towards my bedroom with a loaf of bread in one hand and a jar of peanut butter in the other.
“Wait! You’re not going to eat that in bed are you? Lucy?” It was one thing that I had offered to let Lucy stay with me until she moved on-campus at Metropolis University, but that didn’t mean I wanted bread crumbs and peanut butter spread all over my new comforter. “Lucy!”
***********
I glance down at my watch again. It was almost noon and still no sign of Lucy. She said she’d come by this morning. Maybe she’d decided not to ask him after all.
The thought brings a smile to my face. Wait a minute? Since when is the thought of having Clark all to myself the be-all, end-all thing in my universe? Ugh! This is ridiculous! I’ve got to prove to myself, and to Clark, that he is not the center of my universe.
I get up and walk over to his desk where he’s deep in thought.
“Clark?”
“Hmm?”
“What are you doing for lunch today?” I ask innocently.
I’m rewarded with a warm smile from him.
“Absolutely nothing. I’m all yours.”
Ha! Just what I thought. He thinks I’m going to ask him out for lunch. Nope, think again.
“Hmm, that’s sweet, but actually Lucy mentioned that she’d like to take you out for lunch today. I think she’s supposed to be coming by this morning to ask you. I wanted to give you the heads up. I think you should go with her; it’d make her day.”
Clark’s face began to fall a little while I was talking. “So will you be coming with us?” he asks, hopeful.
“Oh, no. You know that whole third wheel thing. Besides I’ve got a lot to do, I think I’ll just stay here for lunch.”
Clark starts to open his mouth to protest when the elevator door pings. We both look up, and I smile when I see a striking-looking Lucy come walking off. Wow. She really dolled-up for this. She thinks she’s gonna get my hackles up. Well think again, Sister.
“Oh, here she comes. Now don’t tell her I told you. You’ll have fun. Thanks, Clark!”
I walk off smiling at him. I’ve heard the mutterings and whispers around the office about Clark and I being such close partners, and all the lunches we eat together, how we’re *always* together. Why were people so nosy? Well everyone, take notice, we’re not going to lunch together today.
I sit down at my desk and pretend to read the screen in front of me while I watch Clark and Lucy talk out of the corner of my eye. I strain to hear what they’re saying. Thankfully, since Lucy wants to irritate me, she’s not being quiet.
“Hi, Clark!”
“Hi, Lucy.”
“Listen, I just wanted to stop by and apologize to you about that thing with Johnny and all. I hope he didn’t rough you up too bad.”
“Oh. Well I was a little sore, but I’m okay. I’m sorry about how that whole mess turned out. I know you were seeing him.”
“Yeah, well I guess my taste in men isn’t any better than my sister’s.”
Why of all the low blows! Lucy, how could you? Clark’s face looks a little troubled after her last statement. Oh relax, Clark, she doesn’t mean you. She doesn’t even know about you yet; I haven’t told her.
“Anyway, I came here to see if you’d let me take you out to lunch. I’m sure it’s nice to get out of this stuffy newsroom sometimes, and it’s a beautiful day out.”
Clark flashes a grin – was that a *playful* grin? – at me. “Sure, Lucy,” he says, flashing an even wider grin at her.
I know I told him to go to lunch with her, but part of me was secretly wishing he’d turn her down. He at least didn’t have to look so happy about it.
Ugh, get a grip, Lois!
“So, where are you taking me?” he asks her. He sounds a little too eager in my opinion.
Why do I feel like I have to prove something? I should just end this right now and go up there and tell Lucy that he can’t go with her, that he’s going with me.
No. I can’t. If I do that, she’ll gloat. She’ll win. Absolutely not.
“How about my Uncle Mike’s place?” Lucy suggests. “He’s been complaining that I haven’t been by to see him yet since I got back into town.”
“Sounds good,” Clark tells her. I can see him watching me out of the corner of his eye. He’s trying to gauge my reaction! Well, you aren’t going to get one.
“Great! Well, I’m starved, so unless you’ve got something you need to finish up, why don’t we go?” Lucy turns her attention away from Clark to look at me. “Lois, I think I’ll borrow your Jeep, if you don’t care. It’ll save us cab fare. You don’t *care* do you?”
My Jeep? She wants to borrow my Jeep to go to lunch with my boyfr... no, frien... With Clark? Ugh! This is getting worse by the minute.
“Yeah, sure. Go ahead,” I tell her. “I don’t care.” I’ll show you I don’t.
But, who am I kidding? I do care. I’d much rather be spending lunch with Clark today than wondering if he’s having a good time with Lucy. Maybe I could find a way to go to lunch with them? She is taking my car after all. No, if I do that Lucy will know I’m horning in because I like Clark, and so she’d win. Unh-uh. No way.
The phone at my desk begins ringing, and I have to pull my eyes away from them to answer it.
“Daily Planet, Lois Lane.”
“Lois, it’s Mayson.” Ugh, what did she want?
“Oh, hi, Mayson. What’s up?”
“I’ve been assigned the Lex Luthor trial. I was hoping I could get together with you to go over some information and get some statements from you. You were as close to him as anyone...”
“I wouldn’t say close.” I watch as Lucy grabs Clark’s arm and leads him up the ramp to the elevator. I sigh.
“No? Well you almost married him didn’t you?” Mayson asks me, bringing me back to the conversation. “I don’t think it gets much closer than that.”
Would no one ever let me live that down? Was I going to have to drag that with me the rest of my life?
“Okay, fine. What time do you want me to meet you at the precinct?”
“Actually I was hoping you’d be free at lunch to meet with me. My whole day is pretty much booked. Lunch is all I’ve got.”
“Sure, why not. My lunch plans fell through for today.” I can feel myself frowning. Great – no lunch with Clark – lunch with Mayson instead. Oh joy! “Where do you want me to meet you?”
“How about at your Uncle Mike’s restaurant? I started to meet Clark there for lunch once, I heard your uncle makes a killer chocolate cake, but, um...something came up and our lunch got cancelled.”
No. I can’t do this, can I? I mean, I was looking for a way to have lunch with Clark, but this will seem too coincidental. Lucy will never buy this. But how can I turn down eating at my own uncle’s restaurant? “Oh, I don’t know Mayson. I’m on a diet and that chocolate cake is pretty rich. Why don’t we go somewhere else? There’s a great little diner just down the street...”
“Don’t be silly, Lois. Just because you’re on a diet doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a piece. I need some chocolate after the day I’ve had. And I need a change of scenery. How about I meet you there around noon?”
“Noon? Well, I uh...”
“Great. Noon. I’ll see you there.”
“Wait!” I say, but she’s already hung up. I look back up at the elevator, they’re gone. Great! So now *I* get to take a cab to lunch.
**********
To Be Continued...
