Okay, new part. Unfortunately, I have to tell you all that this trip is about over. There might be two parts left (if I make them small). Not sure what I quoted in the beginning, but these two have almost reached the end of this journey. I do hope everyone has enjoyed the ride.
It's not quite over yet though! Enjoy!
++++
Clark had spent a few hours the night before flying for a very different reason. Pure elation. He felt as if his heart had been released from a vice grip. Of course, the elation gave way to apprehension. Then on to fear, worry, and back to elation again. She'd be ready. She wouldn't back out. She just couldn't.
Excitement brought Clark from his bed just after seven in the morning. It was all he could do not to go knock on Lois' door. Technically, he didn't distinguish which seven he'd meant. His good sense prevailed and he decided to be patient.
He decided on the restaurant and called ahead to reserve a table. Every piece of clothing was pulled from his closet before he chose what to wear. He flew out to order a bouquet of flowers and smiled brightly when the florist's mouth fell open in surprise. All the preparations were finished with nearly nine hours to go.
He paced the floor. He flew to twelve rescues. He called his mother- got the answering service. He flipped through a few magazines and looked at his watch for the millionth time. He'd showered, shaved, and saved six people, showered again, and he still had three hours to go.
Clark could clearly recall his very first date when he was fifteen. He could remember how his palms had sweated and how stupid he'd looked with that silly grin on his face. But for the life of him, he never recalled being as nervous as he was waiting for this date.
Flopping to the sofa, he wondered what Lois was doing.
****
Lois was standing in the middle of Kohl's dressing room trying on yet another dress.
"I don't know, Luc," she whined.
"The little black number, Sis," Lucy told her. "Trust me. He'll be speechless."
"Ya' think?" she asked as she held the black dress up in front of her.
"I know so." Lucy smiled over her shoulder.
Lois smiled and nodded her head. "The black one." She got dressed and paid for her purchases. She and Lucy had left the gallery early to shop. They'd decided to pick up a few last minute Christmas gifts as well. And they'd shared lunch at a little pizza place.
"I've had a blast," Lucy remarked as they made their way through the slush that covered the parking lot.
"Me, too," Lois agreed as she opened the back door of her Jeep. If she hadn't had the distraction shopping had offered, she would have gone mad. It seemed that time had come to a crawl. Seven couldn't come quick enough. She'd been home to meet Clark's parents, spent the weekend with him- in bed- and she was nervous about this date. They'd skipped this part, so she was looking forward to it.
Is that why he'd suggested it? Did he, too, feel they needed to do this? She wanted this time to reconnect with him, almost like getting to know him all over. There was nothing in the world quite like following in love. And as deeply as she already loved Clark, she was falling all over again.
****
Clark fingered the cell phone in his jacket pocket as he rode the elevator up to Lois' place. He'd brought them on a whim. Hopefully tonight would go well enough for him to suggest using them.
The doors opened and he took a deep breath. There had only been a couple of times he could remember sweating in his life. And most involved this woman. He wiped his hand on his jacket, then softly tapped on Lois' door. When she opened it, his breath left him in a rush.
How was it she could look better every single time he saw her? "Wow!" he breathed.
"Good wow or bad wow?" she asked.
"Good." His eyes swept down the entire length of her body before they settled on hers. "Very good," he added as he extended the roses out to her.
"Thank you," she said as she took the offered bouquet. "Let me put these in water before we go."
He stepped in behind her, his eyes following her every move. His mouth went dry when she stretched up to retrieve a vase from a high self. That position... made him glad he was a man.
Mind your manners, he told himself silently and dragged his eyes away from Lois. But his super senses were on high alert. He could hear the rapid beat of her heart- a sound he'd come to love. He could smell her perfume, shampoo, and hairspray. She'd used baby powder! He almost growled in frustration.
"Ready?" she asked, holding her coat.
Oh, yeah! his excited libido screamed. But he decided to help her with her coat instead. He didn't trust his traitorous mouth. They stepped through the door and he waited while she locked up. When she reached out to take his arm, he had to force himself to remain on the ground. If he was out of control now, what would he be by the time they reached the lobby?
****
Lois felt almost lightheaded with her arms wrapped around his neck, the smell of his cologne working her into a frenzy. It had been strange taking off with him out in the open, but it felt incredibly liberating. She'd been amazed at how warm she was. He'd reminded her of his aura.
They'd enjoyed the short flight to Callard's, one of the nicest restaurants in the city. Clark landed directly in front, causing several people to stop and stare. He carefully set her back on her feet, then offered his arm. She took it with a smile.
"Ready?" he asked, a hint of concern written on his face.
"Ready," she assured him.
They stepped through the front door and the small crowd waiting for a table parted in awe.
"Mr. Kent!" The host rushed around to greet them.
"This is my guest, Ms. Lane," Clark announced with pride.
"Ms. Lane." The host shook her hand and bowed his head. "We have the best table for you." He turned and led them into the dining room.
Lois watched as heads began to lift. At first everyone was too stunned to make a sound. Then the soft hum of whispers began. She was surprised when the host seated them in the middle of the room.
"I figured we should go all the way," Clark answered her questioning expression.
"Good," she replied as he held her chair. "I want the world to know you're mine."
Clark took his seat and grinned at her. "I can see now you're going to be high maintenance."
"You don't know the half of it," she replied as she picked up her menu. She watched over the top, offering him a sly grin when his eyes met hers. He laughed softly before looking away.
"I think I'm looking forward to finding out," he said as he picked up his menu as well.
For his part, the poor waiter looked stunned, but he only faltered for a second. "Could I suggest a nice blush this evening?" he asked the couple.
Clark looked past his menu. "How about it? Red or white?"
"I trust your choice." She continued to peruse her menu, so he ordered their wine. "I think I'd like..." She folded her menu and placed it on the table. "... the penne pasta with white wine sauce."
"Sounds good." Clark continued to go over his choices before he closed his menu. Lois was inspecting the forks on the table.
"Why do you suppose anyone would want to punish someone else so much?"
Her strange question caused Clark's brows to furrow in slight worry.
"I mean," she continued as she lifted her dinner fork. "One fork would be okay. Us normal forks just lick the dang thing clean between courses. Fewer dishes to wash." She put it down and looked up at Clark. "And speaking of courses, it's all dinner to me. Give me the dang salad or not. Sometimes I'm in the mood. And I like bread with most of my meals. Dessert is always good. But still all dinner."
When she finished, Clark grinned widely. "I've missed that most," he told her as their wine arrived.
"Yeah, what can I say? I babble. And oh my God!" She snatched the bottle of wine away from the waiter, surprising him to no end. "This is like... $500 bucks a bottle!"
"I'm pretty sure I can cover it," Clark managed around his laughter.
"I'm not sure my simple stomach can," Lois replied as she continued to stare at the bottle. She usually just grabbed wine at the grocery store. And this was never on the shelves.
Clark reached across and grasped the bottle. "Let's see if it tastes like half a grand."
Lois felt her cheeks heat and slowly released her prize to Clark. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"Don't be," Clark offered as he poured them both a glass. "We'll be okay," he told the waiter, who had the grace to hurry away without comment.
Had she ever been this embarrassed before? It wasn't that she was poor. She was simply frugal. That's the way she'd been raised. Why pay so much for wine when you could get a good one for less? She ventured a glance at Clark.
"It's really okay."
"You've probably drank wine even more expensive than that." She'd briefly thought of this before, but it was so easy to forget that Clark was more than just a farmer's son. He was so grounded. His *celebrity* was the root of their problems, yet she just didn't see him as... rich!
Clark swirled the wine around in his glass. "I guess maybe I have." He set the goblet down without taking a drink. "I took an expensive bottle of wine home once."
Lois felt herself relax slightly. She could just imagine what Martha had said.
"Mom drank a glass, then put the cork back in. She told me that she knew what money tasted like, but she still preferred the priceless stuff." Clark grinned- that grin he had when he was remembering something he was especially fond of. "The priceless stuff is what you can get with the change in your pocket on your way out to your favorite picnic spot with someone you love. It took me all night, but I finally figured out that she'd drank cheap wine many times while I was growing up. And to this day I love picnics."
She wanted to melt all over her chair. She could actually feel the love this man had for his mother. "Your mom is so great," Lois told him as she leaned over on the table. And she was. During the short time she'd known Martha Kent, Lois had come to love her almost as much as she loved her son.
"Yeah..." Clark, too, leaned closer. "They toasted with paper cups and a bottle of wine that cost two bucks the night Dad asked her to marry him. They still have the rest of that bottle in the wine cabinet."
They stared at one another for a moment before Lois finally began to feel the many eyes watching them. She glanced around, but remarkably all the gawking didn't bother her as badly as she'd thought it would. She guessed the reason was the man across from her. She was certainly more interested in him than everyone else.
"Does this bother you?"
Clark's question snapped her back to attention. He was holding his wine glass. "What?"
"We can order something else."
"Clark..." Glancing around again, she felt a little too far away from him. She leaned over on the table again. "It doesn't bother me. It just took me by surprise. You're a... farm boy from Kansas- at least that's who I met. I know you bought some very expensive art in my gallery, but you're just... Clark. I know you can afford expensive wine. It's just..." She sighed when she couldn't quite find the words.
"I think I understand."
"Do you? To me, you're... Clark."
"I think I like being *Clark*," he said with a grin.
"I like you being Clark," she said as she smiled back. They looked at one another for a moment before Lois lifted her glass. "Let's see if this stuff is priceless." She slowly sipped the dark liquid, her eyes never leaving his. Taking another sip, she finally set the glass back on the table. She continued to stare at the man across from her. "Definitely priceless." And she didn't mean the wine.
"Lois," Clark whispered, his expression longing. Before either could get lost in the moment, the waiter was back. They ordered their meals, then settled into comfortable conversation.
****
Clark held Lois' coat while she slipped it on. His hands lingered briefly on her shoulders before he removed them. He was curious to know what Lois thought about all the eyes that had been on them tonight. He'd chosen Callard's because he'd known that while everyone would look, no one would approach them. And the restaurant had a policy about the press being allowed in- they weren't. The upscale eatery catered to many celebrities and wanted each one to feel they could relax during their meal. He'd overheard a few whispers- which had all been supportive of their hero's date.
"Come again, Mr. Kent," the host told him one last time.
"Thank you."
"And goodnight, Ms. Lane."
"Goodnight." She smiled brightly before reaching out for Clark's arm.
"I know it's cold out," Clark began as they passed through the doors. "But how would you like to walk a bit? They keep the sidewalk clear for most of this block."
"That sounds nice. And if I get cold, you can wrap your arm around me."
He chuckled softly at the expression she gave him. "I guess I can." They stepped out onto the sidewalk, then headed toward the entertainment district. It was after nine, which meant the nightlife was just getting cranked up. Several people passed them before they realized who they were. They'd stop and stare. Some would whisper. Clark smiled when one man whispered, 'Way to go, Superman.'
"It seems people like us together," Lois said to break the silence.
"Do you have super hearing, too?" Clark asked.
"I can tell by their expressions. They're stunned, then they looked pleased."
He watched a few people react to their presence. "You're right."
"Hey, you two. How about a picture for the society section?"
Clark pulled them to a stop when he recognized that voice. He turned to see Jimmy Olsen approaching them with a huge smile on his face. "Jimmy!"
"Good to see you, bro!" Jimmy grabbed Clark in a bear hug before releasing him. "I've got the goods on the Bolo organization."
"Good for you!" Clark grasped Jimmy's shoulder, then turned toward Lois. "Lois Lane, this is Jimmy Olsen."
"She doesn't need an introduction." Jimmy reached out to take her hand. "This is who you need to see if you want to make a name for yourself in the art world." And with that he pulled Lois in for a hug. "And the lady who makes my brother smile," he whispered in her ear.
Lois squeezed her eyes tight and offered Jimmy a smile when he drew back. "It's good to meet you, Jimmy. I've heard a lot about you."
"Don't believe a word of it," Jimmy said as he ribbed Clark with his elbow. "This guy's full of it."
Of all the people to interrupt his evening, this is the one Clark hadn't thought of. Jimmy had been skipping across the country and in and out of South America covering a story for the Planet. He'd spoken with him on the phone and had flown down once to talk. Jimmy definitely knew who Lois was.
"Please tell me you're in town for a while," Clark said to his old friend.
"Home for good if I have anything to say about it. I'm ready to cover the local beat."
"Nothing around here but Superman stories," Clark joked.
"I think I can live with that," Jimmy answered. He reached out to wrap his arm around Lois' shoulder and set them walking back down the sidewalk. "So, please tell me this guy's not too cheap to provide you with a proper ride home."
Lois laughed softly. "He makes me ride coach. Can you believe that?"
"Sadly, yeah. I can." Jimmy shook his head. "Shame on you, Clark. This lady deserves first class."
"Absolutely," Clark agreed, his lonely hands tucked into his pockets. He was more than thrilled to turn his date over for a bit. She was in very good hands.
"Dewey McGregor's work is remarkable," Jimmy said, suddenly very serious. "My mom became a fan when a friend gave her one of his paintings for Christmas. Said she bought it when Dewey was peddling his paintings on the sidewalk."
"That's where I found him. He was set up on the far end of Market Row one day. My sister ran into him- literally- while she was getting coffee. She was crazy over one of his paintings and dragged me down to see it. The rest is history."
"And a long one it's going to be," Jimmy put in. "I have a beautiful little gem; I think you discovered this work more recently. A shadow box of a newsroom."
"She's amazing," Lois told him of her newest find.
"Mine was a Christmas gift the year I started at the Planet."
"Hang on to it. It'll be priceless one day."
"It already is," Jimmy told her. He brought them to a stop outside what was obviously a dance club. "This is my stop. I have to see if I can find my future wife." Everyone laughed. "Make this louse take care of you."
Lois glanced back at Clark. "I think I'll be okay."
"Yeah," Jimmy agreed as he looked over at Clark. "When you get ready to comment, I'd love to write the article."
"Do you have a camera?" Lois asked him.
"I wouldn't be much of a photographer if I didn't," he said as he extracted a digital camera from his pocket.
"Why don't you take the first picture?"
Clark's brows rose in surprise, but he automatically took Lois' outstretched hand.
"Is that okay?" she asked Clark.
"Sure." He'd like nothing more than for his friend to be the one to take the first picture of Superman and his date. His breath hissed slightly through his teeth when Lois wrapped her arm around his waist. It felt so good to have her this close again. His arm immediately pulled her closer.
"To heck with the society page. Look out front page," Jimmy said as he began to click off a few shots. "Now my wife will have to wait while I make the deadline for tomorrow." He said it as if he was upset, but his expression told them he was more than pleased. "Keep it real," he told Clark as he hugged him again. "I'll call you tomorrow. We've got to hit the courts this week. I'm way too rusty."
"I'll be there," Clark assured him.
"Lois..." He hugged Lois again, conveying in the hug all he needed to say. When he pulled back, he offered them a smile before hurrying in the opposite direction.
"Are you sure you're okay with that?" Clark asked as he looked down at Lois.
"Very," she replied as she urged him to walk again.
He was surprised when she didn't drop her arm, but was all too happy to keep her tucked against his side. They walked in silence for while. He took in the lights twinkling brilliantly all around them, reminding him that Christmas was just days away. This year would certainly be different, he mused. He had someone to share his holiday. Of course, he was flying home and Lois had Lucy and her father.
"What does Christmas look like at the Lane house?" he asked, curious to know if his day was going to be bleaker than he first thought.
"We go to Daddy's. Eat breakfast, open gifts, cook a little. In my case, keep the dishes washed."
Clark chuckled. "Just the three of you?"
"I think Daddy's girlfriend might be there this year."
He nodded, his mind already picturing his day. The day he wanted to have. "Do you think Daddy and Lucy would... spend their Christmas on a Kansas farm?"
Lois looked up at him. "What?"
"We have a small house on the edge of the grove. It was built for hired hands years ago. Mom keeps it up for when Aunt Opal visits. I could fly all of you out for an old fashioned Christmas you'd never forget."
"Oh yeah? Just what does a Kent Christmas look like?"
"Well, I usually fly out two weeks before and go out with Dad to cut the tree. It'll be a little late this year because they're traveling. But we'll get it up. I've already flown out and put up the ten million lights my mom insists on every year. We have traffic on our road because of the display." Lois laughed. "On Christmas Eve we have a huge party in the barn for all of our friends. Last year there was just over sixty people there. Santa comes and everything. Superman's offered rides, but everybody keeps insisting they'd rather spend time with their friend, Clark."
"I'll bet that makes you feel pretty good."
"Incredible," he admitted. He squeezed Lois' shoulder slightly. "Mom and Dad are treated to breakfast in bed."
"What? No excited little boy running down to see what Santa left?" Lois teased.
"Not since I was fifteen. That was the year I started giving back."
"And after breakfast?" she coaxed.
"We start cooking. We usually eat by noon. The Olsens come over and once we're so full we can't move, we open gifts. We watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' and nap in the afternoon. The Olsens usually head home around dinner time- stacked with plates. We eat in front of the TV, talk, laugh, then turn in for the night."
"Sounds wonderful."
"So, you'll come?" He looked down at her with a hopeful expression. "I wouldn't dream of asking you to come alone. You should be with your family on Christmas."
"I'll talk to Daddy. Lucy will be packed in two seconds."
Clark laughed with her. He could just picture the younger sister- speechless and excited all at once. They'd reached the corner and when they made the turn, three or four people were coming their way. Clark immediately recognized them as reporters. "I think we have company."
"We knew it couldn't stay quiet all night."
"Yeah, but I don't think I'm quite ready to share you." Clark wrapped his other arm around her and they began their ascent.
"Ah, come on, Kent!" came the frustrated voice of one of the men below.
"Maybe next time, guys," he called, then headed them across the city from above. While he had her up here, he decided to show her all of the beautiful lights.
****
Clark reluctantly released Lois' hand for her to open her door. She turned to offer him a brilliant smile. She must be the most beautiful woman alive, Clark thought, not for the first time tonight.
"Want to come in?" she asked.
Did he? He wanted to do more than that. But he quickly reined in his wayward thoughts. "I'm going to be a gentleman and say goodnight."
"You don't have to," she assured him.
"And I don't want to," he was quick to tell her as he reached up to cup her cheek. "I just think..."
"I know," she whined as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.
Wow, Clark thought as he absorbed every bit of energy flowing from her. "Tomorrow," he managed around the thick lump of regret and longing lodged in his throat.
"Promise?" she asked as she opened her eyes to look at him.
"Promise." He slowly dropped his hand. "Oh..." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a shiny new cell phone. "Don't take this the wrong way. I'm not trying to... keep tabs on you or anything. And I'm pretty sure that we'll be seeing a lot more of one another. And I know you have a cell phone..." He stopped when she giggled. "Sorry," he said sheepishly.
"Superman babbles," Lois remarked as she reached out for the phone.
"Superman does not babble." He grinned, his heart soaring that she so readily accepted the phone. "It's programmed. And I'll keep mine with me all the time," he told her as he pulled the match from his pocket. "We had such a hard time getting in touch that first week..."
"I'd actually thought about suggesting we exchange cell numbers. I'm not sure why we didn't."
"Yeah. We could do that, but..." He motioned at the phone in her hand with the one in his. There was just something about them having matching phones that *he* had bought for them.
"This is more... us," she answered with understanding.
He couldn't help but smile. She was thinking about him as much as he was her. "Lois?" Suddenly he was very serious. He waited until she was looking at him. "Tonight was great." He'd meant to tell her he loved her but his traitorous tongue wouldn't cooperate.
"And tomorrow will be even better," she replied as she stepped closer.
He didn't move a muscle as she pushed up on her toes until their faces were inches apart. She wanted him to come to her and he wouldn't disappoint. "I love you," he whispered before he chickened out, then closed the distance to kiss her before she could respond. The kiss was soft, gentle, longing. His hand went up to hold the back of her head. He slowly explored before pulling away. He looked at her, trying desperately to convey everything he felt for her. Without another word, he turned and hurried down the hall.
"Clark?" Her voice stopped him just before he turned the corner and he looked back. "I love you, too." His heart melted from her softly spoken endearment. He offered her one last dazzling smile before he headed into the stairwell. He was entirely too keyed up to take the elevator.
He broke through into the frigid night air, his heart soaring as freely as his body did. He'd listened to her tell him how she felt on her machine, but hearing it in person was much more satisfying. He was just about to pour on the speed when his new phone began to ring. He smiled when he took it out and realized it was Lois calling already.
"I just wanted to see if you'd answer," she told him immediately.
"I'll always answer," he assured her.
"And if I asked you to come right back?"
"Lois," he began seriously. "I may have to leave you from time to time- as Superman and as Clark. I have commitments. And yes, I walked away from you like an idiot once, but I've learned my lesson. While I might have to leave you, I'll always come back."
He could hear the strangled whimper on the other end, and he was ready to zip to her side when she finally said, "I just wanted to know."
A smile spread across his face. "Goodnight, Lois."
"Goodnight, Clark."
He waited until she'd cut their connection before he closed his phone. How had he managed to live a day without that woman? Tucking his phone into his pocket, he shot across the sky. Tomorrow certainly looked a lot brighter for the Man of Steel.
