Lois was feeling better the next day and was entirely relieved to be going home. She hated feeling like an invalid, and was glad she
wasn't taking up a bed at the hospital any longer; real sick people needed it much more than she did.
"I'm so glad to be out of there!" she exclaimed as they headed to her jeep. "I'll even drive!"
He smirked, "Okay... you're the top banana."
"You bet!" she smiled.
Her heady exuberance over her freedom dissipated a little as they started towards her place. Her apartment, not his, not *theirs*;
still separate living arrangements. They hadn't discussed the details of their marriage yet. When would they make it official? Would they
always have a his and hers place? He had seemed nervous about it all the other night. Was he having doubts because of Superman?
She started to feel her palms sweat. She hated feeling vulnerable and stupid. <<Get a hold of yourself, Lois! This is Clark! Just talk to
him!>>
"Clark?"
"Yeah?"
"Um, so, are we going to keep our apartments? Or should we look for a house? I don't want to sell my apartment, unless you want to sell yours. And well, should we at least tell Perry about us now? I mean, since no one knows about us yet and---"
He stopped her before she could babble further. "Lois, one thing at a time. Can you give us a few days? You just got out of the hospital. I promise we'll come up with a plan."
"Oh, a few days?" she asked quietly. <<What do they need a few days for? Was he still worried about protecting her? She told him
she could take care of herself. And no one needs to know anything about Su-->>
He sighed, "Lois, calm down. I can practically hear your thoughts."
"You can?" she said.
"I mean, I can sense you're worrying. There's nothing to worry about, Lois. I love you. Things will be fine, okay?" He reached over
and squeezed her free hand.
"And we are going to tell people about us, aren't we? I mean, it's not like we're wearing wedding rings that people could obviously
notice," she felt her cheeks flush red. She hadn't wanted to mention the rings.
"Lois, do you trust me?" he asked suddenly.
"With my life," she answered, not missing a beat.
He smiled a quirky half-smile at that. "I mean, do you trust that I love you and that I want to be married to you?"
She glanced over at him, seeing his earnest look. <<What a fool you are for worrying, Lois,>> she chided herself.
She sighed, "Of course I do."
"I just need two days. Can you give me two days? You'll be back at work by then, and--it'll give me time to sort some details."
She didn't understand that cryptic remark. What did he need two days for? It sounded like he was having doubts and just wouldn't
admit it. But it was just two days. Surely, she could survive not knowing whatever it was for that long. <<Yeah, right. I have to know
everything.>>
"Why two days, Clark? What details? Superman? Surely it's not such a---"
He didn't want to do this, but he played his trump card. "Lois, I never ask you for anything. I am just asking to let the question of
the details of our marriage ride for two days. That's it. I want to be your husband, I promise. More than anything. Just give me two days."
"Okay. You got it. Two days. But this better be good."
She didn't see him smile.
*********
Lois did not want to stay home. But the doctor insisted she take at least the next two days off, so she did.
<<What's with this whole two days nonsense, anyway?>>
"I want you to let me know about everything that goes on, Clark! Just bring me your notes from the day and I can work on them at
home."
"Fine, Lois. Don't worry. It's only two days. It won't kill you," he laughed. He was glad she seemed ready to conquer the world
again, but she still had a cough that needed some care.
He cupped her cheek. "Be good."
"Ha! Like I have a choice," she said, gesturing to her sofa set up with a blanket and pillow, a few novels, and a couple of movies to
occupy her day. "I really think I could go into work..."
"Lois. Just take the time off. You'll be fine. I'll let you know what's going on, okay?"
He leaned in to kiss her.
"I'll be by after work." he whispered.
She slid her arms around his neck and kissed him back. "You better."
*********
Three hours later, Lois was freaking out. Was Clark up to something? What's with this mysterious two days? What details did he need
to sort out without her? He hadn't stayed over last night, claiming she needed rest. She had agreed, but still. He was her husband! What was
going on?
She decided to call the Planet, and see if anything was going on there. She told herself it was just to check up on things in the
newsroom, but really, she wanted to know if Clark was up to something.
"Jimmy? It's Lois."
"Hey, Lois! Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, I am, thanks," she said. She and Clark had decided to just say she had gotten sick. No need to give details.
"Well, we can't wait to have you back!"
She smiled, "Thanks, Jimmy. Hey, so, is there anything... interesting going on today?"
"No, not really. There was a robbery downtown. Superman took care of that. But otherwise, it's been a slow news day. You aren't
missing much."
"Has Clark... has Clark mentioned me?" she asked.
"Uh, not really. Just to say you're doing better and that you'll be out of the office for the next two days."
"And Perry is okay with that?" she said in some surprise.
"Yeah, CK and him were talking this morning. Hey, there's CK now. You want to talk to him?"
"Sure," she said, but already heard Jimmy passing the phone.
"Hey," came Clark's warm voice over the phone.
"Hey, yourself. Just calling..."
"...to check up on me?" he asked, and she could hear his smile.
"No," she said, a little defensive. "Just to see what was going on in the newsroom."
"Uh-huh," Clark answered, unconvinced. "There's not much to tell you, Lois. I'll bring you some notes on that Senator I mentioned
to you last week." He paused. Last week was a lifetime ago. "But I'll do the write-up on the robbery this morning. It wasn't a big deal. And,
uh, I got a few quotes from Superman to go on."
"You crack me up," she said in slight awe.
"What do you mean?"
"When I think how causally you mention your 'quotes from Superman' that you 'somehow' managed to get---Clark, you're too much, is all!"
He sounded sheepish. "Well, it's just that, uh--I guess I'm in the habit---"
"You don't have to defend yourself. I think now I find it sort of--cute."
"Cute?" he said in surprise.
"Yeah, cute. So sue me."
"Hey, Lois. I got to go. Perry needs to
see me. I'll see you later, okay?"
How she wished she was there in the newsroom with him. <<I'm so addicted to my job... and my partner.>>
"Okay. Love you."
"You too."
And then he hung up.
<<He didn't say he loved me, didn't use that word, 'love'. Is it because he doesn't want people at work to hear? Am I fooling myself?>>
*********
Lois was glad to be back at the Planet, even if she had only missed three days of work. Still. She barely even took weekends off. Three days off of work for Lois was like two weeks to most normal people.
"Okay, kids, time for the morning meeting. Everyone in the conference room!" Perry shouted, gesturing to get the party started.
After roll call came the assignments, always Lois' favorite part.
"I'm ready to go, Chief. What have you got?" she asked.
"Uh, Lois, I have a special assignment for you and Clark. I told him to not mention it until you came back to the office. He actually
got a head start on it while you were recovering, but I'm sure you'll catch up quick," Perry said.
"What?" asked Lois, getting a little angry. She thought Clark had told her *all* the stories they were supposed to be working on. Why would he hold one back from her, even if Perry told him to?
Perry reached for a paper nearby. "Yeah, you see, we need to do a follow up article on this front page story Clark did while you were ill. Here, Clark, why don't you tell her about it?" Perry winked and handed the paper to Clark.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but you were recovering and we wanted to wait cause it's going to take a lot to make it happen the way it
should," Clark said, a serious tone to his voice that came across as patronizing to Lois.
"I am perfectly capable of handling big stories, even when I'm sick. You know that, Clark! Besides, I was only gone for three days!"
she said defensively.
"Well, this is a story we have to do together or it won't work. And Perry and I thought it would be best to ask you about it now, in front of the whole staff."
Suddenly, Clark kneeled before her, looked in her eyes, and then turned the paper around so she could read the headline.
It read : "Lois & Clark: The Planet's Own Tie the Knot."
"Will you marry me?... again" he asked, giving her a wink.
He took in her surprised smile, and then put the paper aside as he pulled out the real deal. A small black box. She squealed with
excitement. Even before he could open it, she threw herself into his arms. "Oh, Clark! Of course! Over and over again!"
They looked in each other's eyes. "I thought..." she breathed, recriminating herself for all the doubts that had snuck into the back
of her mind.
"I know. I didn't want to deceive you, just surprise you. And I needed some time to prepare this."
She hugged him, then looked around at the small conference room. People were expecting something.
"I think they want us to kiss," Lois said, her voice sultry.
"Then what are we waiting for?"
He lowered his head to hers, giving her a kiss full of promise. The whole office cheered.
"I *knew* something was up with you two!" said Jimmy. Then remembering the divorce lawyer list, he gave a questioning glance at Lois, who looked up from Clark when she heard his remark.
She saw his look and firmly shook her head. Jimmy lifted his hands in a 'whatever' gesture.
"Congratulations!" Perry cried, bringing out a bottle of champagne. "You kids have the rest of the week off. Clark said you needed
some time to sort out looking for a new place. We can hold down the fort for a few days, unless something big comes up."
Lois leaned in to kiss Clark again, and then whispered so only he could hear, "Thank you."
"I told you, I wanted the world to know," he said softly. "This means we can plan a proper wedding, however you want to do it."
"Well, my mother will be thrilled," she laughed through some tears. "But all I care about is that I'm with you."
He smiled warmly. "That's all I want, too. Hey, don't you want to see the ring?" he suddenly asked. "I've been dying to give it to
you. I needed the two days to have it engraved..."
"Oooh! Yes!" she squealed girlishly.
He opened the box for her, and there was a beautiful silver ring with a simple, yet stunning diamond.
"Oh Clark," she sighed.
"Superman found the diamond himself," he whispered with some pride.
He took it out of its satin cushion. "Read the inscription."
She took the ring from his hand, but didn't let go of him. "'I've loved you since the beginning,'" she read, tears welling up in her
eyes again.
He took the ring from her and slipped it on her finger. They leaned in for another kiss, and then Lois pulled back just enough to look
in his eyes and said, "...And I'll love you till the end."
This time, when they kissed again, the world fell away.
