Wow, another great chapter, though I have some misgivings. about what is going on.
Spotting John across the room chatting with Rosemary, she moved over to him to place a hand on his arm. He turned to her with a smile and whispered, “Are you about to turn into a pumpkin, Cinderella? You look ready to drop.”
Lois smiled at him gratefully. “I am ready to drop. No need for you to leave, I can make my own way, but I did want to let you know that I’m heading for home.”
“Nonsense. Let me take you,” John insisted. It was one of his better qualities – always the gentleman, but he knew when to stop, when his tendencies may make him seem chauvinistic rather than polite.
“No, you’re having fun,” Lois insisted.
“You don’t have a choice,” John cut over her. “I need to make sure you get home all right. How else can I be sure I’ll have something to print on the front page tomorrow?”
This isn't as "work-date-ish" as John...and Lois...are trying to make it seem. John is attracted to Lois and Lois is just...confused. She wants Clark but she wants to punish him, and rightfully so.
“It’s a nice night out,” she said when they stepped outside. “Want to walk back?” she asked. It was only a few blocks over to her apartment and John’s car would be fine in the parking lot at the hotel where the party had been.
“Sure,” John agreed, reaching over to place his jacket over her shoulders.
Lois turned to smiled gratefully at him and started to thank him when her heel caught on a crack in the sidewalk and she lurched forward. John reached out and grabbed her arm.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
Lois nodded, laughing at herself. “I’m such a klutz,” she exclaimed as John moved his hand down her arm and took her hand.
Lois went to move her hand out of John’s grasp when Clark’s words came back to her. I feel like you’re finally moving on with your job but my being here means you’re not moving on with your heart.
Remembering last night with Clark, she grasped John’s hand a bit tighter. It was so easy to fall into comfortable patterns with Clark. But she did not trust him and she did not trust herself around him. Getting involved with Clark would be foolish.
Besides, John was just holding her hand. They were hardly going to Las Vegas to get married. So, Lois said nothing and left her hand within John’s as they strolling along the quiet city streets.
Clark only said those things because they sounded good and surely not because he meant them.
And Lois...as long as she's being honest with herself...
Still when she had her door open and turned to say goodnight, she was neither surprised nor did she back away when John stepped closer to her. He placed his arms around her in a friendly, comforting way, and Lois found that she fell into his embrace willingly.
He pulled back slightly and lightly brushed his lips over hers, then released her, and whispered, “Good night, Lois,” before walking back down the stairs.
If Lois has any doubt in her mind, she needs to come forth with it. Don't hurt John...and Clark in spite of what he has done.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I just didn’t want to disturb your date by letting him know someone was here. I thought I’d slip out the window if you invited him in.”
Clark’s words were soft and matter-of-fact, but Lois barely heard them. She was transfixed by the look in his eyes. Clark looked sad and resigned. Before she could stop herself, she asked, “Clark, are you upset because you think I was on a date?”
Clark shook his head no as he explained, “No, of course not. Like I said yesterday, I think you should be dating. I’m happy,” but he could not quite bring off the desired effect and his voice belied his words.
“Clark, did you…” Lois started to ask, but Clark cut her off.
“I’m sorry, I don’t sound very sincere, do I?” he paused as he looked around the room, seeming to be trying to look anywhere but at Lois. “I guess, logically, I do want you to date. I am happy to see you doing so again. But, honestly, it makes me a little sad. I know I’m being foolish – you can barely stand me and even if you could, Superman can’t have a girlfriend, but still…” Clark trailed off, not fully able or willing to put his thoughts into words.
Poor thing. He's starting to babble...and put his foot in his mouth.
“Did he kiss you goodnight?” Clark asked a moment later, then turned red. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that.”
“Yes,” Lois answered. She was torn between her desire to make Clark see what he had given up and feeling the need to let him know it was not really a date so he would look less beaten down.
Clark sighed as he looked at some point just over her head, “See, I want that. I want to know what it feels like to kiss you goodnight.”
For a moment, neither of them said anything, and then Clark caught sight of her face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I just came by to see if you wanted to come to Smallville tomorrow night. Mom invited you over to discuss the kryptonite some more.”
Lois, stunned by Clark’s earlier words, just nodded her head.
“Okay, I’ll come by tomorrow night. Have a good night, Lois,” and before she could reply, Clark was out the door.
Clark has just told Lois that he wants another chance but quickly retracts it because he doesn't want to give Lois the chance to reject him. And he leaves before she realizes that she has just agreed to go to Smallville with him and recants her agreement. If shaking her head was just inadvertently, Clark didn't want her to realize it and change her answer.
But this was the problem. She wanted to believe Clark was the person she had been partners with back in Metropolis, but she knew that man had never really existed.
Oh, Lois...give him a chance.
Very nice. Don't be so long with the next post!
~Sheila
