Well, since the last part is still fresh in your minds, I'll just start. But not before thanking Nancy for her help. There's a little new goody just for you! Enjoy!
Part 8 Jimmy's eyes sparkled with suppressed laughter. "CK, if I had known that kissing stops her babbling, I'd have tried that ages ago."
"Not that it would have done *you* any good. You're not Clark, after all. You'd probably have been rewarded with a slap to the face," Lucy countered.
"Well, yeah, but it would still have stopped her babbling," Jimmy replied with mock bravado, causing everyone to erupt with laughter.
Lois didn't deign to respond. Instead, she kissed her die and threw it. "Six! Anyone gonna beat that?"
"Nope," a downcast Jimmy answered.
"Fat chance, with my luck!" Clark replied.
"No, not this time," Lucy put in.
It took Lois a while before she came up with a question, but when she did, her eyes sparkled. "You told me these days that you and your parents present one another with the most ridiculous piece of Superman stuff. So, what's your most embarrassing piece so far?"
Clearly embarrassed, Clark hesitantly answered after having emptied his glass. "Well, the worst by far is this Superman thong. I mean, the piece alone is bad enough in itself. But that it came from my parents - that's *really* embarrassing."
"I'd like to see you in that!" Lois blurted out. Everyone in the room gaped at her. "I didn't actually say that aloud, did I?"
Clark chuckled. "You did. And I just might find it in my heart to humor you. *But*... you'll only get a glimpse, because I intend to rewrap myself into that towel. Deal?"
Both sisters nodded, an eager gleam in their eyes. Jimmy shook his head. "I don't understand it, CK. Why do you want to do this?"
He could hardly tell them that he had heard a lot of sirens out of town. So he answered instead, "Because I like to have my parts covered with something more than just a towel."
Lucy couldn't believe her ears. "Does that mean that you aren't wearing anything beneath that towel?"
"That was the deal, wasn't it?" Clark stated.
"I don't believe it! Clark, just to let you know: Everyone else I know would have cheated. That's sort of part of the game, you know? Trying not to get caught while making sure to catch the others," Lucy explained.
"I guess I'm too honest for this sort of game." With that, he went into his bedroom. Having retrieved the piece in question - or demand - he went into the bathroom for some privacy. There, he locked the door, quickly spun into one of his suits and flew out of the window.
***
Clark flew in the direction of the sirens when he spotted a raging fire in the woods north of Metropolis. He quickly set down in front of the chief of the firemen, telling him to withdraw his men. When he was sure that everyone was out of range, he used his super breath on the fire. To his shock, he didn't blow out the flames as he usually did. Instead, he caused an enormous explosion - which then put out the fire.
Clark returned to the firemen. The chief looked at him curiously. "Since when do you possess dynamite-breath? Never mind, at least the explosion used up all the oxygen and thus put out the fire. Thanks for your help."
Clark immediately took off again, wondering if he'd had one drink too many. The alcohol might have been the cause of the explosion, after all. He exhaled into his hand and quickly inhaled again through his nose, probing his breath. He couldn't smell anything wrong. But he sure felt lightheaded.
On his way home, he happened to stumble over a hostage situation. Since he was in a hurry, he decided to freeze the hostage-taker with a little bit of his chilly super-breath. It was just a teeny little bit of his cooling breath, just enough to make the guy shiver too much to harm any of the hostages. The police and paramedics on the scene could handle the rest. Convinced that he had done well, he flew back home. There, he spun out of his suit and put on his thong. He took up his towel and put it over his shoulder so that it was covering his buttocks. He had never promised to give Lois and the others the full view. Besides, it was *not* an official dare. He grinned broadly at his mirror-image, putting on his glasses. Then he opened the door to return to his guests.
Everyone was staring at him when he entered. With a smile, Clark went to his makeshift couch, but Lucy stopped him before he could settle down. "Just a minute, Clark. If I remember correctly, your deal with Lois said that she'd get to see you. Unfortunately, your backside is covered right now."
"If I remember correctly, I promised Lois a glimpse - not the full panorama view. Not even for 'just a minute'. She has already had more than that, I'd wager." With that, Clark rewrapped himself in the towel and sat down.
Jimmy remarked, "Well, are you two Mr. and Mrs. Superman now?" Lucy had a hard time trying not to laugh.
Lois glared at Jimmy. "I'm no more Mrs. Superman than... than Clark is Superman," she replied acerbically, which made Lucy end up with hiccups because she was trying too hard to refrain from laughing. Following Lucy's gaze, Lois ended up staring at Clark's perfect physique. When she finally managed to turn her eyes from Clark's lower body, she asked, "I know you eat like an eight-year-old, and I've never seen you actually work out. What is your secret?"
Clark merely shrugged. "Good genes, I guess." He didn't dare get closer to the truth. After all, he and Lois weren't alone.
Lois shook her head in disbelief. "No, that can't be it. Neither of your parents look like *that*."
"You seem to know more than I," Clark stated. At her puzzled look, he continued softly, "I'm adopted."
"Oh, Clark, I'm sorry, I had no idea..." Lois tried to make amends.
"It's okay, Lois."
"Sure?"
"Yes. I've known since I went to primary school. Believe me, I couldn't have wished for better parents."
"What about your birth parents?" Lois inquired.
"They died when I was a baby," Clark answered solemnly. Somehow, Lucy was not surprised at all.
They sat there in silence, sipping their drinks. Jimmy quickly produced a bottle of whisky to refill Clark's glass. Lois shivered slightly. Clark initiated the next round of dicing and - finally - won. Of course, his target of choice was Lois.
Clark considered what to ask her. Finally he had an idea that might work the way he intended. "Remember the day Perry told us that the Planet would be rebuilt? We both started to say something, and I insisted on talking first. I still don't know what you were going to tell me."
Lois' eyes widened. "You don't expect me to tell you that now, do you?" she asked hopefully.
Clark looked at her solemnly. "Actually, I do."
Lois swallowed. "Dare," she said in a child-like voice.
Clark put his legs behind Lois on the mattress, putting himself in a nearly lying position. Then he beckoned, "Come here, Lois." She looked at him like a rabbit looks at a snake, so Clark tried to persuade her rather than force her. "Come on, you are shivering. I promise I won't try to seduce you."
"As if you'd know how," Lois countered.
"Well, I've seen how it is done nearly successfully, and it has inspired me to no end." Clark retaliated. Blushing at Clark's remark, Lois moved to Clark's side. He quickly wrapped his towel around both of them, covering both their legs and most of their torsos. Then he put an arm around her and pulled her closer. She emitted a gasp of surprise, but didn't protest. He inhaled the scent of her shampoo, then bent down to her ear and whispered, "Does that mean that you want me to give it a try? Just to prove I know how to do it?"
"In your dreams, Kent, in your dreams," she answered for everyone to hear, snuggling closer to him at the same time. Clark smiled, knowing perfectly well not to trust Lois' rash words, but her bodily reaction instead.
Lucy watched the scene in amazement. 'This guy is Superman,' she reminded herself, 'and he's definitely courting my sister. And she doesn't even know! Oh, wow!'
Jimmy watched the scene as well, deliberately putting an arm around Lucy's waist. Looking at those two lovebirds, as he tended to call them to himself, always made him yearn for someone special. With a start, he realized that he *really* liked Lucy. A lot. While he was still trying to work out what that meant, Lois threw her die.
"Only two. I should've kissed it!" she said, mock-glaring at her uncooperative die.
Clark cast his die. "One!" he announced.
"Six!" Jimmy exclaimed.
"Two," Lucy growled.
So, Jimmy got to ask a question, and he chose Lucy. What better way to find out something personal about her. There were so many things he wanted to ask. After a short while, he realized that it all came down to a narrow selection of questions. He decided to ask her the most innocent one of them, "Lucy, what do you look for in a man?"
Lucy swallowed. This was really hard to answer. Up to then, she had always gone for good looks and a certain air of superiority, but after her most recent disappointment she had vowed never to go for looks and that sort of behaviour any more. And she was going to admit it. Perhaps, Lois would take her hint.
"What it comes down to is not, as I used to believe, good looks or a whole lot of male ego. I mean, good looks are a definite plus, and at least a bit of self-confidence is a must, but the former is not necessary, and the latter shouldn't be there in abundance, or you'll be treated like a subject instead of a partner. What I really want is someone who cares for me, not just my body, but the *whole* me, including all my flaws and insecurities. Someone who won't take advantage of me, but someone I can rely on when I need him. In short, I'm looking for someone I can trust with my heart and soul and body, and who, in turn, will trust me with his."
When Lucy had finished, she was rewarded with silence and three pairs of slightly watery eyes watching, measuring her. It was a greatly moved Clark who finally spoke. "Wow. That was incredibly beautiful. I couldn't have put it better, myself. And I hope you'll find that person soon." Jimmy and Lois nodded in agreement and pursued their own thoughts on that matter.
After a moment of silence, Lucy took up her die and threw it.
"Only three," she said, slightly disappointed.
Lois kissed her die and threw it.
"Two," she said.
"Me, too," Jimmy put in.
Clark threw his die and covered it with his hands before anyone could make out the result. He waited a few seconds for effect before uncovering it.
"One. Again," he groaned.
Lucy grinned. Exactly what she needed. Maybe she could push Lois in the right direction. She had a fairly good idea of how to accomplish this. "Lois, I want to know everything personal that has transpired between you and Superman. And, no, saving your life and flying 'up, up and away' does not count as 'personal'," she demanded.
Lois decisively answered, "I'll take the dare!"
"As you wish, Lois. Come with me into Clark's bathroom. And, guys, no spying on us!" Lucy commanded.
"We'll stay right were we are," Clark promised.
"Clark, I mean it. No spying, not even "accidentally" overhearing a phrase or two. Got that?" Lucy was adamant. Clark nodded, and the Lane sisters walked off, leaving Jimmy, and an as good as undressed Clark behind.
"Gee, what was that last bit about?" Jimmy inquired, his eyebrows raised.
"I wish I knew for sure, Jimmy. I really do..." Clark mumbled in reply, worry lines creasing his forehead. Just then, they heard Lois cry of outrage.
"You can't mean that!"
They heard some hushing noises, then nothing, since Clark remained true to his promise and didn't use his super hearing . After a while, Lucy and a furious Lois returned to their seats. "Trust me on it, you'll feel much better When All Is Said And *Done*," Lucy said to calm her sister down. Lois sat down at the far end of his improvised couch, but he wouldn't have it, made her lie down in front of him and made sure to cover her with his towel again.
Jimmy asked curiously, "So, what is it that Lois has to do?"
"It's a secret," Lucy answered genially.
"You can tell us. We'll find out soon enough!" Jimmy countered.
"No, you won't. It's something she doesn't have to do right now, and I doubt you'll realize it when she does it," replied Lucy. Lois looked daggers at her. Lucy bravely ignored her older sister's wrath and threw her die. "Six!" she shouted, "Anybody gonna beat that?"
Lois decided that her long drink - the one Jimmy had warned them about - looked very tempting and downed it, giving a silent burp afterwards.
"I did my best, but unless a three beats a six..." Clark didn't deign to elaborate on that subject.
"Four," Jimmy added.
"Two," Lois stated.
This time, Lucy picked Clark. She desperately wanted to get to talk to him alone but still had to come up with something. Then, an idea began to take shape. "Clark, what do you know about Superman? I want to hear everything. And don't you think you can get away with keeping certain facts to yourself," she threatened.
Clark gulped hard. Somehow he had the feeling that Lucy meant what she had just said, but he couldn't tell how much she knew, and how much more she could guess. So, he had no choice. "I'll take the dare," he announced.
Lucy's eyes sparkled mischievously. That was exactly what she had hoped for.
"Here you are," she replied. "It has gotten late, and I'm hungry again. So, would anybody like some Italian takeout?" she asked. Jimmy and Lois gave her an affirmative.
"I dare you to get us some Italian takeout from the best place you can reach in reasonable time. And you're going to take me with you." At Clark's inquiring look, she added, "Lois has told me that you're the master guide to a thousand and one little places, and I want to know at least one of them, too."
Clark broke into a sweat. In an attempt to cover his discomfort, he asked, "May I get dressed before we get going?"
At first, Lucy giggled helplessly. Picturing Clark flying around in his Superman thong did this to her. When she was able to speak again, she told him, "Suit yourself!" all the while enjoying the ambiguity of that statement.
Clark quickly went into is bedroom and, making sure he couldn't be seen, he changed into both his suits. Just to make sure. He never knew beforehand whether he'd encounter a job for Superman. Afterwards he returned, bent down to Lois and cupped her cheek. Being sure of having her attention, he whispered into her ear, "Why don't you get dressed?" Lois graced him with a grateful smile, got up to gather her things and left for his bedroom. Just then, Clark helped Lucy into her coat. Then he donned his own, and together they went out the door.
As soon as they were out of the building, Lucy dragged Clark into a nearby back-alley. Clark was confused by her odd behaviour but decided to go with it. When they had finally reached a very dark spot - a spot that Clark frequently used for changing from Clark to Superman or vice versa - Lucy made sure that they were alone. By then, Clark was feeling very uncomfortable, so he tried to use his best weapon on Lucy: Words. Without being aware of it, he also used his *very* best weapon: his smile. "So, are you trying to make out with me after you made it clear to everyone that I'm in love with Lois?" he asked.
"No. I did want to be alone with you, though," Lucy answered.
"What for?"
Lucy took a deep breath before telling him. "I wanted you to know that I know." At his quizzical look, she continued, "About your biggest secret. That you are Superman."
Clark's mind was working furiously. "Lucy, I don't .."
"Listen!" she interrupted, guessing that he was trying to tell her how wrong she was. "I'm not some silly girl believing it, I really, truly *know* because tonight, you gave yourself away."
Clark was unable to speak properly, so he croaked, "How?"
"When you were kissing Lois, you were positively floating. Does that happen often, or was it a once-in-a-lifetime slip?"
Since there was no way he could talk his way out of it, he admitted, "Only when I'm very happy – or asleep. Do you think Lois..."
"I'm sure Lois doesn't even suspect. She hadn't been furious, and she didn't start treating you like a celebrity, so she can't possibly know. But you have to tell her. Pronto," Lucy told him sternly.
"I know. I should have told her ages ago, but ... it's complicated. And whenever I managed to muster the courage to tell her, my super hearing would kick in with another emergency awaiting my attention. It's really frustrating," Clark tried to explain.
"Yeah, I guess so. Still, you have to tell her. She really loves you, Clark, but how can she be sure of you when you always pull your vanishing act whenever you're having a serious conversation? This has been bugging her for a long while, and, believe me or not, she won't dare start a relationship with you before she knows that you have a good reason for doing that." She was beginning to run out of steam.
"I know that you're right, Lucy, but there are some things you don't understand. You might not be able to believe it, but I fell in love with her at first sight. And she wouldn't even give me the time of day. Then, when I created Superman, she got all moony-eyed. Can you imagine how confusing that was?" Clark was exasperated.
"I can imagine," Lucy conceded. "But why didn't you tell her then and there?"
"Because I wanted her to love me, the real person, the man beneath the suit – not the suit itself, or my powers. Is that too much to ask?"
"I guess not. Still, tell her, before she finds out on her own. She won't take kindly to that," Lucy said.
"Yeah, and the next time I try, I'll hear another cry for help, or whatever!" Clark exclaimed.
"Isn't there a way you can lead her to it? By dropping hints? She is an investigative reporter, and a good one at that. If you could write it down for her, you wouldn't have to worry about being interrupted."
Clark was stunned. That could be the solution. And he had the perfect means to pull it off. Hugging Lucy tightly, he burst out, "Lucy, that's it! You're brilliant!"
She looked sheepishly at him. "I am?"
"You are," Clark confirmed, grinning from ear to ear. Just then, Lucy's stomach growled, reminding them of their official purpose. Clark looked down at her. "Are you up to a little flight? I happen to know a very good Italian restaurant in Rome. Lois loves the food from there." He flashed his most charming smile at her.
Lucy shook her head in wonder at Clark's last statement. Looking up at him, she answered, "I wouldn't miss it for the world! I'd have to be nuts to miss my chance to fly with *Superman*! But would you mind flying over Pisa? I'd love to have a look at the Leaning Tower." With a laugh, Clark agreed to a quick detour. He then spun into his Superman suit. The change completed, he stopped, his arms crossed in front of his chest in his usual Superman pose. Lucy's mouth was hanging open. "Oh," she whispered. Regaining her composure, she started towards Clark, but stopped short of touching him, her face a study in confusion.
"So, how ..." she began to ask but was interrupted as Clark swept her into his arms. "Like that," he stated matter-of-factly. In an instant, Lucy wrapped her arms around his neck, and Clark took off to this 'little place' in Rome.
***
After half an hour, Lucy and Clark, once again in his civilian clothes, returned to Clark's apartment. Jimmy had been awaiting them eagerly.
"CK, it's good you're finally back. I don't know how much more Lois would have drunk otherwise."
One look at Lois confirmed Jimmy's statement. Lois was at least slightly drunk. And there was no way to tell how much more alcohol hadn't yet gotten into her blood system. Clark didn't understand her reasons. He had figured that Lois and Lucy were intent on getting *him* drunk. So, why on earth had Lois decided to get drunk herself? Whatever her reasons, he had the perfect measures for sobering her up a little. Since he didn't know anything better to do, he busied himself with setting the table. At the same time, Lucy and Jimmy were unpacking the food.
Lois tried to sneak another drink, but was stopped short by Clark.
"Lois, you truly don't want to drink any more tonight."
"Oh, you don't know what Lucy dared me to do." Lois pouted.
"I don't think she told you to get drunk, did she?" Clark inquired.
"Of course I didn't!" Lucy rectified.
"You might as well have done that!" Lois accused.
"I should've included the little word 'sober' in my instructions," Lucy replied acidly, rolling her eyes.
"What is it that she dared you to do?" Clark asked Lois concernedly.
"I won't tell. And neither will Lois. *That* is something I included in my instructions," Lucy intervened before Lois could spill it.
"Right now, I'm A Marionette. And it's all her fault," Lois complained.
Finally, the table was set, the meal unpacked and ready to be devoured. So, Clark got several sets of cutlery, and they started to eat.
While eating, Lois turned to Jimmy. With great effort, she managed to articulate every single word correctly, although she spoke unusually slowly. "Jimmy, would you answer a question for me?" Jimmy nodded his agreement since he was busy eating. "I know you could contact Superman on a few occasions. How did ya' do it?"
Jimmy swallowed. "Why do you ask me? If there is an expert on Superman, it's you and CK. Especially CK, he is the only one who can always get in contact with the big guy."
Lois pouted. "The only way I c'n do it is screaming." Without further warning, she screamed, "Sooperman, help!" at the top of her lungs. Clark winced, rubbing his affronted ears while Lucy burst out laughing. Lois looked apprehensively at the door of the balcony. After a while, when nothing else happened, she complained about Superman's non-appearance. Jimmy shook his head.
"Obviously, he knows that you were in no kind of danger, Lois," he stated, barely containing his own laughter.
"You dunno in what kinda danger I am," Lois muttered under her breath. Unnoticed by Clark, Lucy shot her sister a warning glance. Lois looked down on her meal and resumed eating.
It didn't take long before Lucy decided to ask some more questions about Superman. She still loved the idea of making Clark uncomfortable, and once again she had an idea.
"What do you guys think what Superman is doing when he isn't rescuing anybody?" she inquired. As Lucy expected, Clark looked as if he'd prefer to be anywhere but there, squirming on his chair.
Jimmy was the first to answer. "I don't know. Fly to his Fortress of Solitude?"
Lois disagreed. "Noo way. This place – hick – wus made up. It's not reel. Not reel ad all. Sooperman would've shown us if it wus reel. We're his be-best friends, ain't we?" Having finished her statement, she nodded knowingly. Once again, Lucy giggled helplessly.
"I guess you're right, Lois," Jimmy conceded. Since he had no other idea, he turned to Clark. "What do you think, CK?"
"Uhm, no-nothing much, actually," he stammered. To his horror, Lucy wasn't done with him.
In her sweetest and most innocent voice, she said, "Oh, come on, Clark. Tell us what you know. You are his closest friend, after all. Or do you know anybody else who can contact him at will?"
Clark gulped. Obviously, Jimmy suspected that he, Clark, knew something. Clark still thought hard about how to answer when Lois suddenly jumped up and made a bee-line – or rather, a wavy line – for the bathroom. Guessing what was going on, he jumped up and followed her. When he arrived in his bathroom, he saw Lois hang over the toilet bowl, retching helplessly. Clark filled a glass with water. When she was done, she flushed the loo and wiped her mouth with her hand. Gratefully, she accepted the glass of water Clark was offering her and rinsed her mouth.
Being overcome by dizziness once again, she collapsed into a sitting position, tightly hugging her legs. Clark got down beside her. "Lois?" he asked tentatively.
"Go 'way!" she responded, tears rolling down her cheek. In spite of her command, Clark stayed and pulled Lois into an embrace. She shook violently. "Look a' me. I'm a mess." Sobbing again, she added, "Ye muss hate me." Clark simply held her even closer, whispering sweet nonsense into her ear to calm her down.
They stayed in the bathroom for as along as it took Lois to regain her composure – which was quite a while. When they went back into Clark's living room, it was deserted. Amidst the empty packages of their take-out, Clark found a note:
Hi, CK!
We'll call it a night. Lucy will stay with me for a while; it certainly beats sharing your bed with a very drunken Lois. 
Jimmy
P.S.: Sweet dreams! (Or whatever...)
Lucy 'Well, that takes care of that,' Clark thought. He ushered Lois to the couch. After he was sure she was settled comfortably, he took his mattress and other items belonging to his bed from the floor and carried them into is bedroom to get his bed ready for Lois. This done, he returned to find Lois asleep on his couch. Clark decided to carry her over so she could sleep in his bed. It was so much closer to the bathroom. As soon as he picked her up, Lois opened her eyes. She needed some time to focus, but finally she managed. Looking into his eyes, she asked, "Will ya' stay with me?"
Clark didn't know whether he had heard correctly. "You mean in bed?" he asked cautiously. Lois nodded. Since this sudden movement caused another round of dizziness, she closed her eyes again.
"Please?" she whispered. Clark concluded that it wouldn't do any harm if he slept in the same bed with her – as long as he managed to stay clothed – so he agreed. He set her down on the bed and made sure she was comfortable before he slipped under the blanket himself. Lois snuggled close to him, and Clark wrapped his arms around her.
"Good night, Lois." Lois didn't respond. Her even breathing and slow heartbeat told him that she had fallen asleep once again. Clark sighed and hoped that he'd be able to sleep at all. At the same time, he was afraid of really falling asleep because he might give himself away by floating in his sleep. He briefly wondered why his life couldn't be less complicated before sleep claimed him.
-----------------------
P.S.: I did promise they'd sleep together, didn't I?
tbc (might take a while)
