As the two came back to orbit, both metaphorically and physically, Lois’ mind flashed back to the burgundy dress she had purchased. She’d love to wear it for him… Screwing up some courage, Lois proceeded to do what she always did best.
She dove right in without checking the water level.
“Clark…” Lois began, her fingers playing with the lapel of his shirt, “What do you have planned for tonight?”
Clark thought for a moment and shook his head. “Nothing, really.” Suddenly the wording of her phrase dawned on him. “Wait, should I have something planned? Is it your birthday?! Did I forget? Oh Lois, I’m so, so sorry!”
Lois stared at him as the words burst forth in a raging torrent. He looked so contrite, so appalled at himself. She started to giggle. She hadn’t even told him what day her birthday was, how could he think he had forgotten it?
Clark, still mentally slapping himself and running through possibilities for a present for Lois, barely registered her laughter.
Lois finally took pity on him and as their feet brushed the dusty ground, she halted his words by placing both hands on his chest. He stopped, mid sentence, as she lightly traced the contours and ridges.
“L-Lois?”
“It’s not my birthday silly, you would have been the recipient of not so subtle hints all day long if it had been,” she grinned at him and he smiled back in return, relaxing in her arms. “Before you did that huge, radical jump to conclusions, I just wanted to know if you’d like to go out to dinner with me tonight, somewhere nice. My treat.”
Clark’s smile grew even wider as he took in the beautiful girl in front of him.
“I’d love to, on one condition.”
“I don’t take well to conditions, Kent.”
“I’m paying.”
“Oh no you’re not.”
“Yes I am!”
The two bickered like five year olds until they reached the farmhouse. Finally, outside the door, Clark grabbed her and shoved her gently against the side of the house. Stepping up close, until his leg was wedged between hers and his hands had her trapped, he dipped his head to capture her lips.
When he pulled back a minute later, Lois blinked, sure that if he didn’t have her in such a tight grasp, she’d surely drop to the floor.
“Okay fine. You pay.” She said, running a finger through her windblown locks.
At Clark’s smug look she glared and ducked out beneath his arm.
Just wait until he fell into that epileptic shock!
Clark was running around the house, dashing places at super speed in an attempt to locate his stupid tie. He had x-rayed his entire room, his parent’s room; the laundry room… their house wasn’t that big, he was running out of places to look. After another thorough examination, Clark slunk back to his bedroom in defeat. The tie he had received from his mother at Christmas, hand painted of course, seemed to perk up as he glared at it critically.
Sighing, he grabbed the brightly patterned palm tree tie and began looping it around his neck. He was searched high and low for his more subdued navy one, but it simply wasn’t to be found. After he had pulled the end in place and tugged it tight, Clark double checked his appearance in the mirror. He had shaved using his heat vision, put on a crisp white dress shirt, found his black suit jacket and his dress pants. Not bad… Except for the tie.
It was a green and white thing, palm trees etched by his mother’s slightly abstract but nevertheless loving hand. As his gaze roamed the front of the tie, he had to grin. His mother had an odd sense of what was appropriate formal wear, but he was pretty sure Lois wouldn’t mind.
And actually… he kind of liked the bright green rather than the normal gray or blue. Hmm. He might have to consider getting a few more.
Clark rolled his eyes as he looked at his reflection a final time.
Or maybe not.
Lois was changing in his parents’ room, which somehow sucked the romance out of the whole “picking her up at her door” thing, but Clark wasn’t complaining. In actuality, he was pacing. His mother had been thrilled at him wearing the tie, which made him smile, but his insides clenched. He had been cavalier in his assessment earlier that Lois might not mind. Would she? It really was a pretty loud tie. And they’d be going to a pretty nice place.
His mother was regaling him with tales of her and Lois’ shopping excursion. He listened with half an ear and perked up when she mentioned that Lois had bought a surprise.
“For me?” he couldn’t stop himself from asking.
Martha grinned at her eager son. She really could see the little boy in Clark’s grown body. He was as thrilled and anxious about this date as he had been about Christmas all those years ago.
“Well it’s for her, but I think you’ll enjoy it.”
Clark was about to press more when the door opened and Lois stepped out, smoothing the hem of her dress.
Clark broke off mid sentence. His gaze started at Lois’ slender feet, encased in black heels and traveled up her impossibly long legs. He took in the dress next, swallowing slightly, his mouth suddenly dry. It sheathed her figure beautifully, the material highlighting her creamy skin tones. Her hair was loose, almost how she wore it normally, but not quite the same.
She was gorgeous.
She touched his shoulder, a pleased, slightly shy smile on her face. “You look great, Clark.”
At this, Clark finally regained his wits enough to speak. “You look...” His previous shocked awe spoke volumes, and said what his words could not. “Amazing,” he finally finished.
Lois playfully grabbed the end of his tie.
“I like the tie. Ready to go?”
He nodded, wordless as he caught flashes of tanned thigh beneath her dress as she walked. He allowed her to half drag him by his tie out the door.
“Bye Martha, Jonathon!” Lois called cheerfully.
Clark gave them a wave and playfully grabbed his tie back.
“This is not a leash, Lois.”
“It is… interesting,” Lois giggled as she looked at it closely for the first time. “Is that a seagull in the background?”
“My mother made it for me!”
Lois laughed at his indignant outburst and grabbed his hand excitedly.
“Let’s go, Farmboy, you’re taking me out.”
That night, as Jonathon turned on the TV to watch the 11 p.m. news, he got wind of a forest fire raging in California. He hollered to Clark, who appeared a moment later dressed in black jeans and a black sweatshirt.
“I heard Dad, I’ll be back.”
“Be careful, Clark.”
Lois looked back and forth between the two of them, but before she could ask, Clark had kissed her on the cheek and sped off with a deafening boom.
“What…” Lois started to talk, but Martha came into the room. She put a comforting hand on Lois’ shoulder and pointed to screen. A moment later, the raging fire that the anchor had been trying to shout over was doused in a matter of seconds. The camera panned wildly to the sky as chaos reigned, but it was too dark to capture whatever had stopped the flames. Or whoever.
“Oh my God… was that Clark?!” Lois couldn’t tear her gaze from the still smoldering wilderness. Martha nodded and Lois shook her head in disbelief.
“I can’t believe… it’s dangerous! Couldn’t he get hurt? How does he even know how to GET to California?!”
Jonathon and Martha nodded as Lois continued to rant nervously, recognizing the act as a way of coping with shock and edginess. Martha finally placed her hand on Lois’ shoulder and Lois quieted.
Jonathon found an excuse to leave a moment later, which left Lois and Martha alone on the couch.
“Lois, honey, are you okay with Clark? We were a little nervous that his telling you might hurt you.”
Lois shook her head violently, her dark hair swinging into her face.
“No Martha! It isn’t that. I think he’s incredible. And I’m beginning to understand how he can be so introspective sometimes. I guess it comes with the territory if you isolate yourself.”
Martha nodded solemnly and Lois had to sniffle back tears.
“Does he really think he’s a freak?” It broke her heart to picture Clark filled with such self loathing. “He helps so many people… he saves lives, and for no reward or publicity. If anybody else in the world had such great power, I’d be sure that they would be tempted by evil… but not Clark. He’s got… innate goodness. I just wish he could believe it himself.”
“Clark’s been more himself these past few days than we’ve seen him in years,” Martha said softly. “Ever since he’s met you.”
Just then, the back door opened and Clark himself walked in, smoky from the fire.
“Hi sweetheart!” His mother jumped up and gave her son a hug. “You were wonderful. Now I’m going to bed, be good you two.” Martha gave a pointed look at her son, who blushed a violent red.
“Mo-om!”
Lois giggled helplessly from the couch, a blush of her own spreading across her cheeks. Martha had to hide a grin as she surveyed them both with a slightly raised eyebrow and left the room. As soon as they heard the door click shut, the two teenagers’ gazes met shyly.
“Hi.” Clark said softly, making his way slowly toward her.
“Hey, you were fantastic out there…” Lois glanced sideways at him. “Were you scared?”
Clark shook his head. “I’ve been starting to go out like this at night sometimes, when I think someone needs help or I hear about something big on TV. It really only scares me when there’s human life I can’t save.” His voice grew slightly melancholy at the thought.
“Is that how you found me? God, I’ve never even thought about what you were doing out and about so late at night in that snowstorm. You saved me, Clark.”
Clark finally built up enough courage to sit next to her on the couch and wrap his arms around her shoulders. “I feel like everything happens for a reason, Lois. If I was given these powers, I need to use them for good, to help people. Besides, there’s no way I could ever just disregard a cry for help. I think you’re the same way.”
“That’s deep, Mr. Kent.”
“Mr. Kent now? What happened to Farmboy?”
Lois grinned happily and snuggled deeper against his chest. His black sweatshirt smelled like smoke and there was soot in his hair, but somehow the effect was endearing.
“I decided you’re Mr. Kent tonight,” Lois said. “It suits you, all dressed up in black.”
Clark stood up abruptly and for a moment Lois felt bereft without the warm weight of his arm on her shoulder.
“What are you doing?”
Clark stood there grinning at her for a moment and then a second later, he started spinning. After a Clark shaped blur had colored from black to gray, he steadied himself and gave her a cocky smile.
“Who am I now?” He was dressed in a faded Mid-U sweatshirt with cut off sleeves and some flannel pants to match her informal attire.
“Just Clark,” Lois sighed and snuggled into his shoulder. “Tonight, you’re just Clark.”
They sat quietly, the fire crackling and popping merrily. Clark’s mood, however, didn’t fit the cheery disposition of the fireplace. Lois noticed his slight withdrawal and turned in his arms to inquire what was wrong. He looked at her for a moment, the firelight playing up her beautiful features and gently brought his hand to her cheek.
“I’m going to miss you so incredibly much, Lois,” Clark said softly, his voice barely above a murmur. “My mom said the mechanic called. Your car is ready and winter break is almost over. Pretty soon you’re going to drive out of my life and back to Metropolis and I’ll go back to Smallville High. I just can’t believe it’ll be over.”
Lois bit her lip, unsure of how to deal with the problem. The thought of returning home was unappealing at best, especially now that she had a taste of the family life she was missing. And besides all of that, most importantly there was Clark. How he had insidiously entwined their lives together when she had tried so fiercely to keep him at arm’s length was a mystery to her, but she knew she’d miss him intensely.
“The car’s ready?” Lois couldn’t hide the crestfallen inflection of her voice. Despite the sobriety of the moment, a lopsided grin that flitted across Clark’s face.
“You’ll miss me?” He deliberately was speaking lightheartedly, not wanting his dark mood to permeate their moments together.
Lois pretended to ponder for a moment and Clark pulled her to him, tickling her sides mercilessly.
“Uncle! Uncle!” Lois finally gasped out after holding out for a few seconds. “I’ll miss you Clark! God, I’ll miss you so much.”
Clark turned the light tackle into a bear hug as he pulled her close. “We can still see each other, right? I can fly up and see you?”
“Of course,” Lois sighed softly. “But it won’t be the same as having you down the hall.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Lois sat awkwardly in his lap, and the two looked at each other for a moment. Without further delay, their lips met in a sweet kiss. Lois twisted slightly in Clark’s arms as she tried to pull him even closer and the light kiss took a slightly desperate turn as the two tried to maintain contact. A tear rolled down Lois’ cheek as she tangled a hand through his hair and he tightened his grip on her waist. They were held in the thrall of their ardor and ultimate distress as they fed the flame with a fervent caress. Gradually, countless minutes later, the desperation cooled slightly and their kisses became less enthusiastic and more affectionate.
As Lois maneuvered herself back under his arm until she was comfortably settled against him, both remained quiet as the fire dwindled. He interlaced their fingers and pressed a light kiss on Lois’ hair before closing his eyes for a moment, awash in the comfort of home and his girlfriend beside him.
++++++
I wanted to thank everyone again for all of the feedback! And also, I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm aware of exactly how young they are. They definitely aren't going to run off and elope... Though something does happen.... Well, if you can manage three more parts it'll all be explained.
Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions. This is my first story posted to the boards and I was so terrified at first.
