The reason the * is by 12 is because I am counting the n-fic part as part of the installments. However, if you are not old enough to read n-fic, don't worry. It's just an extra, and has no relevance to the major plot. 
Anyway...
Yes, it's really done. Yes I am really back. I hope you enjoy and that it was worth the wait.
Special thanks to Rachel and DJ who have an army of poking stick critters reserved just for me. Also, thanks for the comments, edits, encouragement, threats.. 
Okay, okay the story. Enjoy! Table of Contents: What Is True? From Part 8Lois lay in Clark’s bed, replaying the conversation she had with Jonathan over and over. He had been so understanding, not at all ignorant or pushy like her own father. He just wanted her and Clark happy and at peace with one another. The conversation had sealed the deal about her feelings for Clark but it still left the Superman equation hanging in the air. She had a ton of questions but was still afraid to ask Clark for the story. Lois was worried he would start accusing her again about not being direct with her feelings and they both knew where that path led.
A day ago if someone told her she would be madly in love with her best friend and find out he was also the local super hero, Lois might have sent that person to the nearest psychiatric ward. Today, it was the sanest thing she had ever heard. It was music to her ears. Ears that had been denying the truth for sometime now. Lois rolled on her side and looked out the window. The sky was starting to turn a deep shade of pink, signaling the end of another day. Since her arrival in Smallville, the whole world seemed to be getting more glorious with each passing day. Even though the Irig fire was a let down, the weekend had still been so...
“Perfect.”
Lois turned her head and saw Clark, handsome as ever in the late afternoon light. He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He smiled at her before he spoke, “The sunsets here get more perfect every time I see them.” He paused before continuing, “How are you feeling?”
Lois flipped onto her back, “I’m better, just trying to sleep.”
Clark suddenly looked very embarrassed, “Oh, sorry. I just wanted to ask if you would like to come for a walk with me after dinner tonight.”
Lois smiled. She loved when he got that shy look in his eyes like a bad puppy. “With a face like that, how could I resist?” Lois watched his eyes change from relief to exhaustion. She cursed herself for forgetting how tired he was too. Shifting over on the bed, she made room for an extra body.
Clark’s body.
She patted the vacant spot next to her. “Kind men need their rest too.”
Clark’s eyes widened. He was about to refuse and give Lois her space but he remembered she was a woman of action, not just words. Clark finally complied and lay down next to her on his side. “Thanks,” he whispered. “I really needed this and it’s even better with you here.”
Lois gave him a 100 watt smile before inching into the cocoon of his chest. Clark wrapped his arms around her. They fell asleep quickly, finally succumbing to the sleep they both desperately needed.
****
Dinner passed and Lois and Clark were left alone to rest. Martha and Jonathan didn’t see Clark come back to the farmhouse but they were no fools and knew very well where he was. The older couple felt that sleep would help those kids think straight. Or so they could only hope.
****
Part 9 I have been in love with you...
If you were just an ordinary man...
Lois Lane...Kent...
It’s not true...
Superman? Clark…oh my God!
It’s not true... Lois shot up from her sleep, her shirt clinging to her moist skin, breathing heavily. Her sudden movement hadn’t disturbed Clark but she knew that her absent warmth would wake him soon enough. Staring out the window into the night sky, sprinkled with bright stars, Lois extended her hand towards the heavens as if to touch the stars. How she longed to be close to those bright orbs of light and just bask in their beauty. Glancing at the sleeping man next to her, the reality finally sank in.
If she wanted to, Clark would take her there in an instant.
Lois sighed in awe. She had a man who was willing to bend to her every whim and grant every wish her heart desired. What an amazing feeling, having that luxury, yet at the same time it was disheartening. Sure who didn’t like getting spoiled once in while but could she take it? Could she take being Superman’s girlfriend? Superman’s lover? Shaking her head, Lois knew that she was dating Clark and not the man in tights but did Clark know that yet? Could he draw the line or would it be up to her to put her foot down?
Lying back down, gently, she felt another wave of tiredness wash over her. Lois turned back into Clark’s embrace and before she fell asleep she whispered, “You and I need to talk soon. I need your help to figure this out, partner.”
She stifled a yawn and closed her eyes. “Without you Clark, I’m nothing.”
****
I miss you...
I’m not doing the driving...
Trust me, Lois, I would not let that happen...
You’re asking me out...
You deserve no more excuses...
No more excuses... The last words from Clark’s dream echoed in his head like bells as he opened his eyes to the darkness and a full head of shiny brown hair. He smiled and absently stroked the hair that covered his chest. Even with so little light, she was beautiful. Clark levitated ever so slightly so he could prop up his head against the bed backboard without disturbing Lois. He needed to think. He needed a moment to get his thoughts together.
For the first time, he was seeing things through Lois's eyes. Time was so precious and they had both wasted so much time getting this far. They couldn’t let it all go just over Superman and out of fear. His mother was right, it was time to talk and embrace that fear. Lois was confused about Superman and he was doubting his feelings for her. Looking outside at that little tree house in the backyard, he formed a plan and knew it was the perfect way to explain everything.
He gently shook Lois awake and called out her name like it was soft air, flowing out of him into her ears.
“Lois?”
She mumbled something incoherent and then her eyes shot open. “It’s time?”
He nodded. “There’s something I want to show you. Come on.”
****
“When I was younger and started to develop powers, I vowed to not share them with anyone. If I did, I always had the fear of being exposed or exposing my family. I never wanted that for me or them so I decided to keep it a secret.” Clark was leading Lois around the edge of the farm. The stars guided the pair as they walked in the clear night. Suddenly, he stopped walking and made sure she was facing him.
“I have wanted to tell you for so long but I was always afraid. I never wanted you to look at me like I was a coward so I just never told you. However, love changes all the rules, especially my rules.”
Lois looked deep into his brown eyes which were unusually bright. She reached a hand up to his face and tenderly stroked his hair, encouraging him to go on.
“As Superman, I have to hide that fear, control it. Sometimes though, I just want to scream and cry out to release my problems. It’s going to take a lot of work learning just to talk to you and confess everything.” Clark looked up at the sky, as if expecting some greater power to give him the right words. Alas, nothing came to mind so he looked to the real greater power in his life for some understanding.
Lois was a bit shocked by his confession. Although she knew Superman had feelings, she had no idea Clark harbored these fears alone. All this time she thought he was trying to dupe her or make her look foolish when, in fact, he was just scared. She understood his fear and now it was her turn to take control of the situation.
“I know,” she said. “This talking thing is going to take some getting used to on both sides. We have many obstacles to overcome, but we have to try.” She came to his side, grabbed his hand, and encouraged him to walk with her. They trailed along in silence till they stopped right in front of one of the few trees on the Kent’s property. She looked up and noticed a tree house built for a child.
“This is where I used to think and hide from the world,” he said. “I came here a lot, especially when my parents were at a loss on what to do.”
Lois imagined Clark as a young boy, not only struggling with the changes of normal childhood but getting superpowers as well. Looking into his eyes now, she could still see part of that boy in them – unsure of what was to come.
“Why didn’t you just show me this yesterday? It would have saved us…”
“…time, I know. But Lois, to you, actions speak louder than words. However, I am a man of my word. If I tell you I love you or that I am Superman, I want that to be enough. I have never lied to you about who I am, I just eluded you regarding my powers, but no one else knew that anyway.” He knew his impassioned spiel might set her off again so he added quietly, “I love you and I didn’t want to lose you. I was so afraid yesterday morning that I might lose you.”
Lois didn’t know how to respond to that. Clark’s speech was a bit selfish, yet it was revealing and inspiring. This man had just bared his soul to her and although she was a firm believer in concrete truths, his words were the most solid things she had ever known. She turned around and walked away slightly from him to gather her thoughts. He took a step towards her, thinking she was fleeing, but then he realized that maybe she just needed a minute. Silence filled the air once again, which was soon interrupted by a cool gust of wind. Lois shivered involuntary and Clark was immediately by her side.
“Hey, if you’re cold…” He placed a hand on her shoulder, but she continued to shake. Worried, he walked around to face her. Clark was shocked to find fresh, hot tears, coursing down her face, much like the ones she cried last night with him.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “All I seem to do in front of you lately is cry.” He opened his mouth to comfort her but she cut him off. “Let me talk now before I lose the courage to do it.”
Lois looked up at the sky, then down at the ground before she spoke. “I have been looking for someone like you all my life. Your compassion, the love you have for others, for me, it’s so incredible. Clark, you complete me in a way I never thought possible. I can understand why you were afraid, because I was afraid, too. You’re my best friend and I’m sure it wasn’t easy watching me obsess over the other half of you.” Lois swallowed back new tears and continued, “It’s because Superman was unreachable that I was attracted to him, even when I was falling in love with you I…” Lois stopped speaking because both she and Clark realized what she had finally said.
“What?” Clark tilted Lois’s chin up so her eyes were even with his. “Say it again,” he whispered. It wasn’t a command; it was a statement. He wanted to make sure he hadn’t only pretended to hear it.
Lois, unable to escape his heartfelt gaze, spoke so quietly it might as well have been his imagination talking. “I love you.” More tears began to pour down her face in relief, finally able to speak what was true.
“I love you,” she repeated stronger. Clark was shell-shocked so she repeated it over and over until she was shouting it.
“I love you, I love you, I LOVE you Clark Kent! I love you!” She began sobbing uncontrollably. Her knees felt weak and she knew that she was about to sink to the ground. Before she lost control, strong arms were holding her and gently bringing her to the ground with them.
“Clark,” Lois gasped between sobs, “I…lov…love…you”
“And I love you Lois, so much.” He held her while she cried. He tucked her head under his chin and planted sweet kisses in her hair. As he kissed her, their bodies melded closer together. An observer would just see it as two people comforting each other but to Lois and Clark, it was a very intimate experience. Her hands found themselves roaming up and down his back, almost as if to confirm that this moment was real. He stroked her hair and rubbed her sides gently. Eventually their small explorations and Lois’ sobbing stopped and they quietly held each other.
Clark sighed. “This feels so right.”
Lois looked up at him and smiled. “Maybe because it is.”
They embraced a little longer before he pulled away to look at her again. “Are you okay with the whole Superman thing? I know our revealed feelings have made this a little harder to handle.”
She looked at him with a slight smile. “I’m okay with it and you have my total trust and confidence. Just promise me that next time you tell me something life changing, you don’t do it at super speed?”
He laughed at that, but his tone quickly became more serious. “I promise and for everything else, I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry, too.”
They both shared a smile and Clark helped Lois to her feet. After taking in their surrounding once more, he finally spoke. “There is one thing I’m not sorry about though.”
“What’s that?”
“Waiting until now to kiss you. I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting or woman.” She stood there watching his eyes change from humorous to passion. He suddenly stalled, unsure if Lois was ready for the kiss. She then placed her hands on his chest and asked huskily, “What are you waiting for?”
Before something else ruined this moment, Clark gathered Lois into his arms and kissed her. The kiss started out timid but it soon exploded into raw passion. Their tongues danced in a comfortable rhythm and their hands started to roam each other’s bodies very boldly.
Between kisses Lois spoke, “Clark…maybe we…can…continue…this inside…?”
Clark abruptly stopped kissing her. They both used that moment to catch their missing breaths before he spoke. “Lois, I think we should first talk about how far you want this to go tonight?”
She chewed thoughtfully on her lip for a moment before answering. “I don’t think we should go as far as consummating our love but I wouldn’t mind exploring our options little more…thoroughly.”
Clark’s eyebrows went up and Lois smiled wickedly. “Well, let’s hurry back before you change your mind.” He scooped up his giggling partner and they sped right back to the farm house.
To be continued...
