Lois had her story. Trevino was in prison and the rain forest was safe, thanks to Superman.
Clark came into the Planet shortly after they had it confirmed that the mining had been stopped. Lois grinned. << Clark appears completely in the dark about it all, just like always.>>
"Sorry I took so long," he said apologetically, adjusting his tie. "Anything happen while I was gone?"
Lois rolled her eyes at Jimmy.
"Come on," she said, grabbing Clark's arm.
"Where are we going?" he asked, hoping she was finally going to tell him about last night.
"I thought you might walk me home," she offered.
"I thought you didn't need a bodyguard," he chided.
"Who said anything about a bodyguard?" she smiled. Then she turned serious as she added "Besides, I still have to talk to you about something."
**********
"So, what is it you wanted to tell me?" Clark asked, trying to stay casual.
They were walking arm and arm down the street.
Lois knew what she had to tell him... but what should come first? The chicken or the egg? The fact that she knew about Superman? Or the possibility that she had feelings for Clark? She wouldn't admit to herself again that she *loved* Clark, not yet. Those feelings had been summoned under duress... but there *was* something there for her partner. So how to begin...
"Clark, I sorta lied this morning when I said nothing happened last night."
He stopped and turned to face her, panic clearly on his face. "You did?"
"Calm down, it's nothing that earth-shattering... well, maybe it is---" she hesitated. "But I really want to wait till we get to my apartment to tell you... Can we just, walk?"
Clark's mind was racing. <<What *did* happen last night?>>
"Sure, Lois," he said, uncertain what else he could say.
Her arm slipped down and she searched for his hand. He glanced over and noticed she was looking at their clasped hands. She had a look on her face like when she was about to solve a crucial part of a story. Lois had some hypothesis forming in her brain. But about what, he had no idea.
Finally, they got to her place. She hadn't let go of his hand the whole way back, Clark noticed.
"You want anything to drink?" she said, making her way to her kitchen, turning on the lights.
"No, I'm fine... Lois? Just tell me. What is it? You've been acting strange all day," he said, concern evident in his eyes.
She knew it was time to stop prevaricating. "Clark?"
"Yeah?"
She stood in front of him, starting to pace. "I have been driving myself crazy all day, trying to decide if I should tell you... and *how* to tell you...Clark... I like you. <<Ok, so the egg came first.>>
"I mean, I know I've pushed you away and told you not to bother... but, well, I've reconsidered," she looked up at him shyly.
"What do you mean?" he said quietly, coming over to her.
She shook her head. "Clark... I heard... I heard you say something last night in your sleep that really made me think."
"What did I say?" he asked slowly, afraid to ask.
She looked down at her fingernails. "You... admitted feelings for me... that's why I asked you today in the conference room. To see if you'd tell me face to face... and you did."
She turned to look at him now.
"So, it's got me to thinking... Clark, you're the best man I've ever had in my life. My best friend. And I know I haven't always played fair with you, yet you've always been there for me." She fought the lump in her throat, thinking too, of the many times Superman had rescued her. "And, I have finally admitted to myself that--I have feelings for you, too."
"You do?" he asked softly. He tentatively reached to stroke her cheek, his eyes full of hope.
<<A girl could drown in those eyes,>> she thought.
He leaned in closer to her. A second more and he might have tried to kiss her. But she couldn't let that distract her. She had to finish what she started to tell him or she never would get it out.
Reluctantly she pulled away.
"Wait, Clark. There's more."
"What 'more'?" he asked, worried.
"There's---something else I need to tell you, Clark," she turned from him, wringing her hands.
"OK..."
She sighed heavily. "This is where I am afraid I'll look like the total jerk..."
"Look, Lois. We're best friends, you can tell me anything," he tried, hoping his calm words belied the nervousness in his stomach.
"And can you?" she countered back to him, suddenly a little angry.
"What?"
"Can *you* tell me anything? I seem to be the one who is always spilling my guts to you," she said with frustration.
He looked her straight in the eyes. "My life is an open book, Lois."
"Ha, I don't think so," she countered.
Then she sighed. She really didn't want to fight with him. She just needed to tell him the truth. Lois took his hands and pulled him down to sit next to her on the sofa.
She sighed, forcing herself to touch him, to look in his eyes. Afraid if she didn't otherwise, she'd run. She'd run from him and run from her emotions. "Clark. *I know.* I saw you floating last night in your sleep. You're... Superman." There she said it. The words were out.
He let out a long breath, taking his hands from hers. "And so now you're suddenly interested in me because I'm Superman?" he said slowly, not looking at her.
She shook her head, afraid she was losing him.
"That's just it, Clark. Why I've been going in circles all day. Yes, we both know I've had a thing for Superman, but I've been growing so fond of you, too."
"Fond of me?" he tried out the phrase, not sure if he liked its implications. Sounded awfully close to 'love you like a brother,' to him.
She threw herself against the back of the sofa in frustration.
"Yeah, that's the thing... I think... if I had had more time...Ugh, I'm so confused! You see, I've been close to falling in love with Clark, too," this last was whispered.
She suddenly stood up.
"But I wish I could forget what I saw last night, Clark! I wish I didn't know!"
He felt himself cringe. His worst fear had been realized. She had learned the truth and it disgusted her. She would never accept him now...
"Lois, I'll leave. If it's all too much. If I'm... not what you thought, maybe it's best if I leave Metropolis. I'll tell Perry--"
"Leave? Clark! What are you talking about?" she turned to him, shaken out of her own torment by his statement and finally noticing Clark's own pain.
"You just said you wish you didn't know the truth about me. Maybe I---maybe you don't want me here anymore," he said, standing, and heading for the door.
She grabbed his arm.
"Clark! Look at me. The reason I wish I didn't know is because I feel like it's too soon. Too soon to know everything about you. I think I *want* to fall in love with Clark. I think I've been close to it for a while, but been terrified to leap. Yet I don't want to feel like my feelings for Superman are pushing me to leap either. I'm not ready to fly yet," she said, with an ironic smile at her choice of metaphor.
"No one is pushing you, Lois," he said gently.
"Maybe I'm pushing myself, then... I just feel so... confused!"
"Yeah, you keep saying that," he said, running his fingers through his hair, uncertain. "I'm surprised you're not...more mad at me."
She shook her head. "I was. For a minute. I mean, I know I should be. But maybe I understand you better than you think I do. Especially after I realized what was probably really going on in Smallville a few weeks ago... it's dangerous for people to know, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it could be... I--I've kept the secret a long time, Lois. I thought---eventually if anything---happened between us, I'd tell you. But actually, I think it's a relief that you know," he smiled.
"Well, it may be for you, but I have a lot of thinking to do..."
He touched her shoulder gently. "Take all the time you need, Lois. I'll be here."
She felt traitorous tears well up in her eyes. "See, that's what I mean. You are the most generous person on this Earth, Clark."
She turned to him and they hugged.
"Are you sure you're not disappointed that your hero is really just... me?" he asked, pulling out of their hug.
"No! Not in the slightest! In a way, it's... comforting. I mean, now I know what Superman does when he's not saving the world... I... know I care about you, Clark. A lot. But I don't want you to think that I care because I know you're Superman... although it did make me think about my feelings a bit. And you're not going anywhere, right?" she asked suddenly.
He took her hand, "No, Lois. I'll stay here. As long as you want me."
"Oh, Clark!" she threw herself into his arms again. She sat back, just far enough to see into his eyes and stroke his cheek.
"You mean the world to me. Both of you. It's just... well, you've been like a brother to me as Clark. And Superman always took my breath away... I just need time to see where the two meet in the middle."
She leaned in to him to kiss him gently. "Do you understand?"
"Yeah, I do. It's OK, Lois," he said.
They sat together, quiet a moment, thinking.
Suddenly Clark sat up,"Wait. You still didn't answer how we ended up in my bed this morning..."
She blushed. "Well, you sorta... floated us in there."
"I did?" he asked in surprise.
She couldn't look him in the eyes.
"Yeah, I... well, I came over to you... you can give a girl quite a shock, floating like that you know... and well, suddenly, I was in your arms."
Now Clark blushed.
"And then you... floated us to the bedroom."
Neither could look the other in the eyes. Then Lois dared a peek at him at the same moment he glanced at her. They both started laughing.
"Sorry, Lois! Guess I couldn't resist getting you into my bed one way or another!"
"I thought it was quite a smooth move myself!" Lois giggled.
Then, they were both laughing uncontrollably. It was to relieve the tension more than anything. Clark was thoroughly embarrassed, but it was good to laugh about it.
When he could calm down he said, "Look, let's not worry about anything tonight. We don't need to make any decisions you aren't ready for. Why don't we just--be? Go on a few dates. And then, we'll see where life takes us."
She smiled at that, clearly relieved.
"I think that's a great idea... Would you like to get those movies from last night? We were watching It Happened One Night. I think I fell asleep before my favorite scene..."
"I love Gable and Colbert in that movie."
"Me too. They make quite a pair."
"So do we, Lois," he said with a soft smile.
She grinned back. "You bet your sweet chumpy we do."
~END~
