And now, the first chapter of Obliviously Into You:


Chapter 1 – It begins..

*2 days before Prologue*



The bag was getting heavy, it was raining, and she knew he was following her. She could feel it like eyes on the back of her head, not just that but as if he was in her head. She tried to remain calm, switching the groceries to her other arm, managing to get her cell out and flip it open. He had said to call…that she could trust him, and she did. 

It felt like forever before he picked up. “Clark? Yeah…I know…” His voice was the only thing at that moment that kept her going, a friend in midst of terror. 

“Please…I’m about a block away from my apartment, but I know he is watching.” She hung up, reassured that at any moment he’d be there, he said he wasn’t more then a few minutes away. 

The rain got thicker, her thin jacket was now sopping wet. She resisted the urge to turn and look for him, she didn’t want to give the creep the satisfaction.

But the sensation of being watched was to hard to ignore and she found herself glancing around, while keeping her pace. In the process her foot slipped on the wet slick pavement. She started to fall, dropping her groceries in the process but next thing she knew a strong arm steadied her and a familiar voice spoke with calm reassurance.

“I’m here Gwen. Lets get you home.” Looking up into blue-green eyes Gwen felt relief. 

“Thanks Clark,” she managed to whisper. “I can’t believe I’ve let him get to me like this.”

With one arm around her and the other holding the groceries he had stopped from falling, Clark gave her small sympathetic smile. “He hasn’t let up has he?” 

He directed them towards her apartment building. She shook her head and began digging through her purse for her keys, letting Clark guide them. For whatever reason when he was around she felt safe, and she needed the safe harbor, though it made her feel guilty. 

Pulling the keys out with a shaky hand, while trying to unlock the door, she began. “I’m sorry for calling you again. I know you have other things to do.”

“Not as important you.” His tone told her he meant it. The weeks of terror was written all over her pretty features and it was Clark’s turn to feel guilty. That he hadn’t been there enough. 

Once in her apartment, he led her over to the sofa. She was shaking so bad he wasn’t sure it was all because of the cold rain. He put the groceries down, grabbed a towel from her bathroom and came over, put it over her shoulders, then kneeled before her.

“Gwen…I told you night and day…it doesn’t matter. I can’t help if I can’t catch him.”

“I know. I thought it was getting better…the calls got less. But then…” she trailed off. 
Truth was the last three days were a blur to her. Half the time all she could remember was the constant feeling of being observed, or that at any moment he’d be there.

Clark frowned at her, noting how quiet she was. She wasn’t the lively Gwen he knew at all, last time he had seen her she had been stressed from her ex boyfriend but still her. Now she was like a nervous shell. “You should change your clothes, I’ll heat something up. Then you can tell me about everything. Okay?” 

She nodded numbly, watching as he moved into her tiny apartment kitchen, half musing as she made her way to the bedroom that such a tall big guy looked odd in such a tiny place. 

Once she had slipped on something dry she came out and sat with a sigh. Her body felt heavy and weak. A cup of hot cocoa was suddenly placed before her, and those comforting blue-green eyes were once again looking into her own as Clark sat beside her.

“Tell me. What happened these past few days to leave you like this Gwen?” His eyes roamed over her and he frowned, “Have you eaten much?”

She picked up her mug, enjoying the warmth from it, then taking a deep breath she shook her head. “I honestly don’t remember Clark.”

“You don’t remember?” Memory wasn’t an issue before, what had this creep done?

“No…my last clear memory was of Wednesday.”

“Gwen you were fine when I left. I need you to think…what happened? Try and remember please!”

“You left…” She closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I remember…I remember settling to watch something on TV.”

Clark nodded, taking her hand and squeezing, offering encouragement. “Wednesday…that probably would have been American Rockstar…”

“Yeah, that’s it…then I…” In frustration she pulled away and stood, began to pace, trying to remember. “No…the phone rang…”

Like her, Clark’s gaze went to her phone. “Can you recall who it was that called?”

“No…” Frowning Gwen shook her head and sighed. “But…I do remember feeling afraid…” She looked up at Clark who had come over to stand beside her. “It was him wasn’t it? How does he do it?”

“It’s why I am here okay? To figure it out.” He rubbed her arms before going to look at her caller I.D. After a moment he came across an anonymous number that would have been about the right time on Wednesday. He nodded his head for her to look, Gwen glanced at it and wrapped her arms around herself, looking a bit defeated.

“I can’t do this anymore I can’t!”

“Gwen I’m staying for the rest of the day…and night if I have to. I want to catch him…I can’t figure out exactly how he does it or stop this if I don’t.”

She nodded. “Clark I am so glad you believe me. I don’t think anyone else would. With all the people who grew up in Smallville you would think that more would be open minded.”

He gave her a rueful smile, guiding her back to sit down. “I think most just don’t want to think about it.”

Watching as Clark grabbed the remotes and sat down on the sofa with her, nodding his head for her to drink her hot cocoa, Gwen observed his frame. Yes he was attractive, oh gawd yeah but there was something more to Clark, even in high school she had sensed it. Watched him at times from afar but their social circles had been different. The only thing they had in common was how they were farmer’s children.

Then as fate would have it, she had run into him one day over a year ago. They had gotten to talking and hit it off. He had awkwardly asked if she’d go for coffee sometime. Coffee turned into three very nice dates but despite the fun and the attraction it had been obvious something was missing, especially after meeting Lois. Now in its place though was a friendship and one she needed after making the mistake of dating Mark.

Mark Stuart the cause of all her stress. The man who wouldn’t let her go and accept they weren’t working, a man who some how haunted her dreams, who made her feel like she was always being watched, whose phone calls couldn’t seem to be traced.

Clark was her only hope. The idea there was something more to this stuck in her head and she was grateful that he had come through, listening and being not just the casual friend but a great friend. She didn’t need to know how he’d catch Mark or what made Clark himself different. She trusted him enough to let him be. It wasn’t wise to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Gwen felt herself relax a little as they watched TV, Clark was calm and his occasional glances out the window, were comforting. After a while Gwen felt it was time to go on with her afternoon, and Clark encouraged the idea. His company was welcome and they continued to talk. Gwen caught him up on other things in her life than her stalker ex-boyfriend before turning the conversation onto him.

“Seeing anyone?”

Clark rolled his eyes. Gwen was unsure if it was because it was her who was asking, or the subject matter in general that caused the reaction. She decided on the latter when he shifted uncomfortably in his seat looking as if he wanted to spill.

So she asked again. “Are you?”

“Depends on your definition of seeing…”

“Ah…I see.”

“And that means?”

She smiled, genuinely smiled for the first time since he had been there. It gave him some relief to see it. “Well…back when we started dating you were also seeing what’s her name?”

“Oh uh…Becka.”

“Yeah…you still doing the whole juggling thing then?”

Clark shook his head. “You make it sound like I’m some sort of Casanova.” He frowned and shifted in his seat, looking a little defensive. “Besides…I quit for a while…I didn’t want to do it anymore. But then Lois practically pushed me at Sarah…and now she says she has a new date for me lined up. I don‘t know, it just…doesn‘t feel right.”

“Hmm…have you ever wondered why that is?”

“What do you mean?”

He didn’t like the idea of being compared to Casanova, intentionally or not. For one he rarely ended up getting a kiss out of it all, though in some cases he didn’t want one.

Laughing, Gwen started working on a sauce, and Clark found himself handing over ingredients, having helped his mother or made his own enough. Gwen understood…homemade food was a staple.

Still laughing, she went on ignoring the fact she was making him squirm. “Well Clark…let’s see, you wine and dine them…correct? You have more than one lady at a time.,.sounds a bit Casanova like to me.”

He blinked and became a bit red, hating that, worded that way he did sound bad. His reaction just sent her into a giggling fit. “Oh my…I’m sorry. I know you’re not like that. You were always very gentleman like, up-front and honest…to a fault and I know that hasn’t changed.”

“Though…” she added. “Knowing you were also taking out someone else and then experiencing you getting us confused was very amusing.” Well at the time it had been a bit off putting but Gwen had already come to know enough about Clark that he had meant no harm.

What she couldn’t figure out was how he had even gotten on the dating scene to begin with. The man was not really the type. But then after meeting Lois it occurred to her that some how she was the reason in some weird twisted way. It also became clear to Gwen that Clark wasn’t the one for her, he was meant for someone else.

He just obviously didn’t know it yet. In fact he was quite oblivious to it.

A comfortable silence grew between them and Gwen felt herself relaxing even more. Clark had that affect on people and she didn’t mind silence with company. With the sauce well on the way and the pasta nearly done. Gwen turned to look at Clark who was glancing cautiously out her window.

She wondered if she’d get a reprieve from Mark’s calls. A part of her hoped he would show up and Clark would frighten him off. The police wouldn’t be able to help, not with the fact that something was definitely weird about Mark, nor would they believe her.
Clark glanced at her and gave a light smile before moving back to sit on the stool by the kitchen counter. 

She turned to face him. “So…how is Lois?”

“She’s good.” The tone his voice took didn’t escape her notice. She turned back to the pot of pasta to smile over it while she stirred.

“Good? Good encompasses a lot…”

“You know…she’s…Lois. But I think she is doing well…and don’t pull that. You’ve met Lois twice.”

“But we are friendly…”

“I’m thinking too friendly if you ask me.”

Gwen laughed. “She still has that boyfriend? Joshua?”

“Yeah…Josh.” His voice had gone flat, losing the softness it often had when he spoke of Lois.

“You don’t like him do you?”

“He’s alright…I just…”

“Oh, come off it Clark. You can talk to me…I need the distraction anyway.”

“It’s just, he is so…so not her type! The only thing they have in common is they went to college together. And he is…boring.” He went for the kindest word he could think of in that moment. While he didn’t exactly care for the guy, he didn’t really want to bad talk Lois’ boyfriend, that wasn’t fair to her.

“You know what I think?”

“I’m not sure I want to know what you think…”

Ignoring him she continued. “I think Josh isn’t her type and all these dates you go on don’t work because you are missing what is right in front of you.”

Clark frowned, eyebrows scrunched together. “What does that mean?”

Gwen raised a brow back. “You know, Lois is right…”

“Oh great…what did Lois say?”

“It’s for me to know and you to wonder…”

“You’re just as bad as she is.”

“Maybe you just like sarcastic women.”

“More like I get victimized by them.” He gave a fake scowl, happy Gwen seemed to be more like herself.

“Uh-huh.” She turned back to drain the pasta and nodded for him to stir the sauce. “You do realize I made enough for two…”

“I noticed. And it smells good.” He was half tempted to taste the sauce but caught a look in the corner of his eye from her and thought better of it.

It was then the phone rang.

Gwen immediately froze, the pasta sitting in the drainer in the sink. All the feelings from the past week came flooding back. Clark watched as she squeezed her eyes shut, her knuckles having gone white from gripping the counter.

“It might not be him.”

“At this time…he’s the only one who’d call that phone.” She could hear the edge in her own voice.

Clark came over to stand beside her at the sink. “Gwen…you need to answer this. I can’t…I need you to talk to him. You said you trusted me.”

“I do…”

“Then…please, answer it.”

The phone stopped ringing, but Gwen turned to look at it anyway. “He’ll call again…he always does.”

As if on cue the phone began ringing, taking a deep breath Gwen pushed away from the counter and with a shaky hand picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“You can’t keep ignoring me!”

“I’m not, Mark…”

“You didn’t answer right away Gwen…you rarely do anymore, not very nice. Its rude to neglect your better half.”

“Better half? We aren’t going out Mark, we haven’t been for months now!”

Clark gave her an encouraging nod before looking around, continuing to listen in on the conversation.

A sigh came over the phone as if he was the one deeply frustrated and disturbed by her. “Baby, I gave you the break you needed, don’t act like you don’t enjoy the attention.”

“Don’t call me that…don’t call me at all!”

“Gwen I love you and I know you love me too.”

“No Mark I don’t. We have this same conversation over and over again and I am sick of it!” She wanted to hang up right then but at the sight of Clark looking around doing whatever it was he could do, she felt somewhat encouraged.

He laughed coldly in response. “No we don’t. When you hang up the phone Gwen you’re going to open the door and pick up the gift I left you, then I’m going to call again and you’re going to tell me how much you love the gift and then your going to show me your appreciation.”

“You’re delusional Mark. You’re not going to get away with this.”

“Why, because of your new boyfriend? Don’t think it didn’t escape my attention…but it doesn’t matter Gwen because I can see you both now. How is a former football player going to stop me?”

Turning around Gwen looked at Clark before her eyes darted around. The feeling of being watched was so strong and the crawling fear that came with it was hard to hold back, she struggled to keep her voice calm.

“He believes me Mark…and you can’t scare him off!” She slammed the phone down and took a deep breath.

Clark turned from x-raying her neighbours’ apartments and buildings to look at her. She looked up from staring at the phone and at the sight of him looking at her she couldn’t hold it back any longer.

The tears came and a half-sob, half-scream came out. Clark moved forward to grab her only to be surprised when she shoved the end table with the phone on it over.

“I hate him! He’s watching me all the time!” She hit the floor crying.

“Gwen. Maybe we should leave. You can stay at the farm with me for a few days.” He knelt down beside her. 

He hadn’t been able to see anyone watching them, but that didn’t surprise him. From how Gwen had related previous incidents Mark didn’t seem to need to be physically close to know what she was doing. Or even to leave her gifts. Clark was very sure there was one outside the door, though surely he would have heard someone approaching.

“Let him take more of my life?”

“No. We regroup…we work out some way to deal with him. Right now though he is winning if he keeps terrorizing and hurting you in the process.”

She nodded before looking up. “I’m sorry.”

“No need…” He smiled at her. “Hey, it will be safe there. Besides you’ve wanted to see the farm and Lois…well Lois will love to have someone to tag team with against me.”

“Clark…what if he doesn’t go away?”

“He will.” He helped her to her feet. “I think I have just the friend who can help.”

They decided to finish making dinner, Clark packed it up to bring with them, wanting to get her out of there soon. Gwen quickly threw clothes into a bag but she couldn’t stop the sensation of being watched from nagging at her. It didn’t help that his words echoed in her mind.

“You’re going to open the door and pick up the gift I left you.”

She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts, shoving her toiletries into the duffel bag.

“You’re going to open the door and pick up the gift I left you.”

Before she knew what she was doing she had left the bedroom. Clark glanced at her from the kitchen. “You ready?”

She nodded. “Yep.” But she continued for her front door, opening it before Clark was aware of what she was going to do or could stop her.

The events of that moment unfolded as if in slow motion and though he had super speed it didn’t do him all that good.

She swung open the door and as she bent to pick up the little white box left for her, Clark made his way around the counter. It should have been fast enough to stop it. He was there at her side to take the gift away but there was a flash of blue-green light and the other man appeared, his hand grabbing Gwen’s arm just as Clark pulled at her.

Gwen never had a chance to scream as she was caught in the unexpected tug of war. Clark let go out of instinct, not wanting to hurt her. However, Mark continued to pull…forcing Gwen to stumble back and she fell right over the stair railing. 

Clark made a move to get her as Mark disappeared and the shock of his departure, the flash of blue-green light rippled, knocking Clark off his feet. Still he got up…he had time to catch her. He could do it, he knew it. He sped down the stairs only to be slammed just as he caught her. Clark and Gwen went flying back in a blaze of blue-green light hitting the wall that crumbled around them.

“Stay away from her!”

Pushing away debris with one arm, Clark unburied himself and Gwen, amazed at the force of power Mark had exhibited. Gwen didn’t move from his arm, he turned her over figuring she passed out from the fall. Brushing her light brown hair from her face, he was shocked to find her blue eyes staring lifelessly up at him.

He couldn’t make a sound, he hadn’t expected that. He had saved her from the fall, he had held her in his arms to protect her as they had flown back against the wall…but she was dead.

He placed her gently down and stood, turning to look at the man he blamed for this, who now stared at the dead woman as if he was in shock. Clark didn’t care that it may have been an accident on his part. This creep, this freak had terrorized her for weeks and now she was dead because he hadn’t left her alone.

Mark pulled his gaze from Gwen, he hadn’t meant for her to be harmed. She was the point of everything, all he did, she was his and she had been taken from him.

“You did this!”

Clark glared back, hands clenched. “I did this? You…” Words failed him. Instead the rage built up and spilled out and he ran for Mark, catching him by surprise.

Slamming Mark against the wall with enough force to cause the lights in the hall to flicker Clark began to squeeze. He could end the man’s life with ease, no effort but he squeezed slowly, watching Mark struggle.

Then he heard her voice, a memory from the past, in his head. “Clark you’re killing him!”

Yes he was…because of him Gwen was dead. He deserved to die. 

“Stop, stop…its gonna be ok.”

Didn’t he deserve to die? He had made her life hell then ended it…didn’t he?

“You’re gonna be ok.” Lois’ voice continued.

How was it going to be okay? But he knew, he knew she was right. He had to stop…had to. He wasn’t a killer.

Pushing away, Clark let him go with a growl. The other man stared at him for the space of five seconds then made to move towards Gwen. Clark put an arm out stopping him.
“No, you’ve done enough…”

Mark turned to glare at him. “Enough!” he hissed. “She was mine…and you, you! Were trying to steal her.”

Clark wasn’t about to argue this with him. The question was what did he do now?

Looking back at Gwen, Mark continued in a choked up voice. “I loved her…she was going to come around and see we were meant to be…she just needed time.”

The disdainful snort escaped Clark before he could even think of the reaction it would cause. Mark narrowed his eyes, he was being mocked. His love for Gwen mocked.

He knew this interloper had speed and strength so he had to do this carefully, he wouldn’t leave her here. She would be his forever. He made as if to step back then rushed for Gwen’s body taking her with him in a blaze of light.

Clark followed having not been fooled, he seized Mark’s arm just as he flashed, the three of them shot apart as they appeared back in Gwen’s apartment. Gwen’s lifeless body landed against the side of the sofa while Clark went flying into the kitchen taking a counter out with him.

Mark pulled himself up from hitting a wall but was unable to make another step before Clark appeared right in front of him, effectively pinning him.

“You’re not taking her anywhere!”

“Oh I think I am. I think…” His tone took on the strange vibe that it had when he had been talking to Gwen on the phone. “You’re going to let me walk away. I ‘m gonna walk right out of here and you are going to tell them you killed her.”

Clark shook his head and grabbed him by the collar. “You killed her. I tried to save her!”
“No! You did…you should have stayed out of it!”

Clark swallowed back the urge to hurt him. Instead he picked him up then pushed Mark back roughly into the seat of the couch. What could he do with someone who could manipulate himself right out of trouble?

“I was her friend…and you…” Clark growled. “You are a monster.”

“You killed her, Clark you did this!” Feeling frustrated, Mark pushed at him with his mind, dropping his tone lower again, but he didn’t see the typical response in Clark’s eyes. He could get almost anyone to do anything he wanted in the end. It had taken a while to figure it out but he found he could make suggestions then eventually give orders. But at this moment it appeared to have had no affect whatsoever.

There was one option that remained to Clark, something he knew he’d hate to do but really the man was going to leave him no choice.

Mark could see a decision being formed in Clark’s mind, one word. Summerholt. There was no way…

Leaping to his feet he moved to disappear but once again was anticipated by Clark who grabbed him and yanked him down so he slammed into the floor.

Mark kicked out at him, crying out when it hurt and Clark didn’t budge. In between the tears of pain he managed he spit out. “ How are you going to get me there?”

“It won’t be hard…I’ve got connections.” Clark shot back. Unaware that Mark was scanning his mind, filling in some blanks. Maybe he couldn’t control him but he still could see…just enough.

“But you can’t let them know can you?” Mark continued through gritted teeth. “What you are…a fake, a liar…a freak like me.” He could see it, as Clark saw himself. It wasn’t clear as it was with most people but it was enough to know that Clark risked a lot if he exposed him.

“Let me go Clark. We can both leave…just let me go.” He tried again to push at him, lowering his tone but Clark just glared.

“No.” Clark could feel it touch on his mind but it was no more than an annoyance. He picked Mark up effortlessly. Without word, he headed for the door, avoiding looking at Gwen, she deserved more than this.

Just as Clark took off at high speed, Mark who was firmly being held by a steel like grasp decided to try and leave. He gave it all he had. The combination of the two caused an exploding ripple of light, pain and power to throw them both back. Clark was sent flying again towards the kitchen taking more cupboards, counters with him. Mark came following close behind, hitting the sink as Clark took out the stove. Pipes bursts at the same time there was a sound of gas leaking.

Clark pulled himself up and grabbed Mark with him, once again he made to take off but this time he recognized that Mark was about to try and disappear so Clark stopped and swung him around again slamming him into the floor.

Crying out in pain Mark grabbed at the side of Clark’s head pushing as hard as he could with his mind. “LET ME GO!”

Clark felt a terrible pain, like a spike being driven into his temple and pulled back. Mark took a moment to breath before trying to get up, slipping on the wet linoleum. His whole body ached from the repeated slamming and pushing at Clark’s mind had really hurt, he felt weak but he had to get away. He just needed to move a bit further, get his bearings and he could leave.

Feeling a little shook up from the mental attack, Clark realized Mark was still trying to get away, struggling to move or stand. He reached out to grab him when he heard it, the change in the gas pressure. The damage done to the stove was worse than he thought, there was a ticking sound now as well.

Mark made it to his feet and turned to give Clark one last look. “You’ll pay for this…”

Realizing he was about to take off Clark yelled and ran for him. “Don‘t!” But it was too late. He disappeared in a flash of blue-green light that sparked off the gas and a flame exploded. Rocked off his feet Clark went through the window and hit the street below.

He wasn’t sure how long it was before the ringing in his head stopped, maybe a few seconds or a few minutes but when he looked up from the alley below to the fire burning above in Gwen’s apartment, he knew there was no one to save but possible neighbors. Mark’s body dangled half over the window’s ledge, like he half materialized in the broken glass itself, impaled in the chest.

It didn’t feel like a resolution, or a success, even after he made sure the building was clear. Twice the fire renewed with strength as if the very fact it was sparked by Mark’s teleporting ability made it that much harder to control. He watched from a distance at first after rescuing but it became clear the fire department would need his help. So he did.

But not even that could stop the ache inside. Gwen was dead and he had failed. It resounded in his head and pounded. It took a lot of effort to continue to watch and listen and when it was obvious he wasn’t needed any more, he left.

At the farm he showered to clean himself from the fire but he barely recalled the action, or how he got to the barn. Sitting on the steps he held open his somewhat damaged cell phone and debated who to call. He had more than one person to turn to but some were busy as they should be. Others he didn’t want to bother.

He couldn’t resist, it had to be her.

**


“That’s when I decided to look into…”

Lois wasn’t really paying attention, she had tuned most of what he said out almost ten minutes before when he had started going on about some sort of investment thing.

Joshua had gorgeous brown eyes and nice lips. So watching him talk was an enjoyable experience even if she was bored out of her mind. This was suppose to be a day off from things that resembled work. Instead he was prattling on about investments and wise money planning and making it feel like she had showed up for a lecture.

Coffee now gone cold, Lois found even his lips couldn’t keep her attention, nor his eyes. For some reason she found herself thinking how it was a pity they weren’t blue or green. Blue or green was such a lovely colour on a guy…especially when they shifted back and forth depending on the lighting.

Where did that thought come from? It didn’t matter, Joshua needed to find a hobby, develop something other than trying to get her to manage her money or catalogue her belongings. He was more of a neat freak than Clark and that was saying something. At least with Clark it was just a good habit not a state of mind that was designed to drive every free spirit around crazy.

She frowned into her cold coffee, it matched the cold wet weather that had pushed them into getting coffee at the café. Feeling annoyed with herself for being so easily irritated with Joshua. Lately it felt like all he did was annoy her. Which meant she was annoyed at herself for being annoyed at him for petty things. A vicious circle that needed to stop.

There was relief when the chorus to ‘Is this love’ came from her phone.

“Sorry Joshua…give me a moment…he wouldn’t call unless it was important.” Lois held up a finger and flipped open her phone, turning so she wouldn’t have to see Josh’s reactions.

“Hey Smallville…what’s up?”

“Lois…can you come over?”

She almost started to remind him she was out with Joshua but his tone made her hesitate. “Uh, yeah. Sure I can…is everything okay?”

“Just…get here soon okay.”

“Okay…I will.”

Lois turned back to Joshua while holding the phone to her mouth. She didn’t like at all how Clark had sounded, something was wrong, very wrong.

Joshua raised a brow slightly and pressed his lips together. “So what did Clark want?”

“I don’t know…he didn’t sound so good.”

“Lois…now please…”

“Don’t ‘please’ me Joshua! I know Clark enough to know when something is wrong and he is my friend. I’ll see you tomorrow okay?” Her tone told him he’d better keep his mouth shut or not see her for a week.

“Alright.” He tried to smile but it didn’t escape Lois that he was annoyed. But when he went to kiss her goodbye she didn’t fight it, feeling a little bad that she hadn’t been the most responsive companion that day. It must have been the rainy weather.

He claimed her lips and sighed as she pulled away. “Don’t be out late.”

“It’s the farm…I’m not going to wilt at the farm.”

She slipped a couple of dollars on to the table and gave him a wink before walking away. Why did boyfriends have to be so infuriatingly frustrating?

*


Lois pulled into the drive way, the sun now close to setting and she couldn’t shake the feeling something was really wrong. There were no lights on in the house, but she knew that wasn’t where she’d find him anyway.

Getting out of the car, Lois made her way for the barn. Trying to ignore a slight sense of dread she had that he had received bad news. Was Mr and Mrs K okay?

“Smallville?” She called out quietly in the dark barn.

“Lois…” There it was again, that tone that told her he was upset. Not the kind he got after a failed date or just a bad day, no this was something else.

He was sitting on the stairs up to the loft. Even in the meek light from the waning sun she could see the slumped shoulders. His head was in his hands, he didn’t even look up as she made her way to sit beside him.

“What happened? Clark…I’m here.” She waited quietly, sometimes it took him a while.
When her hand gently touched his shoulder he felt relief wash through him. It was all the relief he knew he’d get for the time being. He had failed Gwen, she was gone and while her killer was also dead, it left him with not only feelings of loss and guilt but of remorse and shame. He had almost killed a man. Had wanted to kill…

Now in this moment what could he say to Lois? As he often did, he wanted to say it all, but instead would be forced to give a variation of the truth, he had become too good at half truths and distorted stories of reality.

“Its Gwen…she’s dead.” He didn’t mean for his words to come out so hoarse. He felt her tense up beside him, as always he was acutely aware of her. Over the years he’d grown to know her and not just how she’d respond verbally to something but physically as well. It was a part of his senses, he did it without thinking.

Lois took a deep breath unsure of what to say back to him. She hated trying to find words to comfort, not because she disliked being there but because she was never sure of what to say. Clark needed her now though, she knew that he had been trying to help Gwen, and whatever had happened, a friend of his was gone. Not just his friend but someone she had liked as well.

“Clark I…I’m so sorry. Want to talk about it?” Her voice was so soft and unsure. It caused him to smile despite the situation. She never did give herself enough credit. There was a reason she was his best friend.

He rubbed his face, there was a sense of shock still to how the evening had gone. Gwen’s death had been so sudden. One minute they had been talking and laughing and the next it had spiraled out of control.

Lois watched a myriad of expressions pass over his face and did the only thing she could think of. She took his hand, it seemed to completely undo him. His eyes filled and she found herself pulling him into a hug.

“Ssh. It’s okay…you don’t have to say anything.” she whispered soothingly. Clark had always been sensitive and took these sort of things hard. If only she knew what to say.

After a moment he pulled away and wiped his face. “Sorry…I…”

Lois scowled at him. “I’ve seen you cry before. Besides you put up with my once a month spells of witchyness…I think I can handle man tears.” She smiled to soften the words.

Clark smiled back for half a second.

“Clark…you can tell me please…” pleading for both his sake and hers.

He shook his head. “It’s not that…I just don’t know what to say.” A partial truth.

Lois nodded, rubbing the back of his hand. “You and me both…” She bumped his shoulder with her own. “Maybe we need to loosen that tongue, relax you a bit. How about we go get a drink? Then when you’re ready you can tell me.”

Taking a deep breath Clark stood, their hands still interlinked. “Thanks Lois.” He couldn’t get drunk but the thought counted and her company would help. He let her pull him out of the barn, soaking up everything that made her Lois as he tried to get the images of Gwen out of his mind, off his heart.

He so badly wanted to tell Lois it all, more than just a partial truth that he’d give later. The desire to tell her about himself, the parts he was forced to keep hidden, was a constant ache but where did he start and was it wise to do that to her life?

It was an odd thing to have a best friend that you couldn’t share something with not because you didn’t trust them or even really worried about how they’d see you. In the end it came down to her well being, knowing his secret was a burden and one he didn’t want to force on her. So instead he settled for giving all he had to the friendship that he could.

As they made their way out of the barn Clark remembered the first time he had thought of her as his best friend. It had taken him by surprise. It had been at a time when many things had been going wrong, including other relationships that had shifted. 

Funny enough Lois had come over dragged him out of the barn after one look at his face, saying as she did. “I don’t do sad Smallville…so let’s go do something to take your mind off your blues. Because…no matter how good a friend you are I’m bound to put my foot in it…capiche?”

That had been two years ago and the Lois moments had yet to stop, not that he was complaining.

** 


He watched as they came out of the barn. The way they held hands, the body language told him one thing. This woman meant something to Clark and that was all he needed to know.

He remembered this Clark being in his way, of how it felt to have the man’s hands around his throat, and even more important, how it felt to die.

Who knew that he could cheat death like this? No body to touch and seek revenge on, but with how he could see into the woman’s mind it occurred to him that perhaps he could get his revenge anyway.

He pushed. Pushed at her mind seeking an entrance, he couldn’t quite penetrate but with time…and he had plenty of that now, didn’t he?

Lois stumbled, bringing her hands up to her head as it suddenly filled with a terrible pain. It took a moment to register that Clark was holding her up or that he was talking to her. “Lois! Lois are you okay?”

She nodded and blinked as the pain began to subside, “Yeah…sorry. Nasty sudden headache I guess.”

Clark watched her for a moment. “I think it would be best if we stay here.”

Frowning, Lois pulled away. “Spoil sport…fine, but if it’s not going to be drowning your sorrows then we’ll increase our caloric count.” She tugged at his arm again. “You better have a good stock of rocky road this time Smallville.”

He sighed as he was pulled into the house. “Give me some credit…I do learn from past mistakes.”

“Damn straight. You know I’d kick your ass if you didn’t.”

“You wish…”

Sometimes Clark found himself wondering how he ever had coped without her. The thought was actually a little terrifying.


To Be Continued….

(previous post)

Prologue

Title: Obliviously Into You
Authors: FWvidchick and Loulou26
Pairing: Clois
Rating: PG-13
Timeframe: This is an AU fic based around S7 time but it has been AU since the end of S4, everything that happened up to then, still happened here. 

And now onto the summary. 


From the authors of the best selling fics Back To Your Heart and Heart To Heart, comes a new and exciting fic that will have you coming back for more 


Sometimes one can be oblivious to whats in front of them, including and most especially how they may feel about someone. This is the problem for Clark Kent and Lois Lane, best friends who tell each other almost everything but the one thing they can’t admit to themselves. There are also secrets that have to be kept or do they? A change has begun..a dangerous change that will push it all to the surface and what does that mean for the two oblivious best friends? Will they survive before it tears them apart? 

Is on Fanfiction.net http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7050761/1/Obliviously_Into_You

Chapter Index (Ksitetv):
Prologue
Chapter One: It Begins
Chapter Two: Gifts

 Chapter 3: The Closet Affair

Prologue



Clark sighed as he flopped down onto the sofa in his empty living room. It was still too quiet in this place without his parents around. Grabbing the TV remote, he switched it on and flicked through the channels but then threw it down next to him when he couldn’t find a single thing to watch. 

There was nothing on. 

Well that wasn’t true, he could probably find something if his mind weren’t on other things. But he couldn’t help it. And he also knew that sitting here dwelling on it would only make it worse. Not to mention the fact that Lois would kill him if she found him moping. 

Lois. 

Not for the first time today, he remembered how she’d been there that day, helping him. But he cast the unwanted memory from his mind, choosing instead to focus on getting himself a snack. He took a moment as he reached the kitchen to just stand and listen, really listen. 

No one appeared to be in trouble, no one was calling out. It was an eerily quiet night out there. But perhaps that was a good thing. As he set about taking some items out of the fridge, the back door opened and banged shut and before he’d even turned around, she was off on a rant.

“Move over Smallville, I need some Rocky Road and I need it stat!”

“Hello to you too, Lois. Help yourself, you know where it is.” He didn’t know why he was still talking; her head was already buried in the freezer trying to sniff the stuff out. 

“Aha!” she shouted triumphantly, removing her head along with a carton of Rocky Road ice cream. But her smile soon fell as she opened it and glanced inside. “Um, what the hell? Why is there like…a mouthful left in the bottom?”

“There is? Huh…” Clark glanced in the empty tub, suddenly remembering that he was supposed to pick some up, but totally forgot. 

Lois narrowed her eyes. “Don’t toy with me Smallville, you know what I’m like if I don’t get my ice cream.”

Boy did he ever? Remembering the melt down she’d had last time she’d needed some, he grabbed his jacket. “I’ll go and get you some if you want?”

Lois sighed and looked at the tub like it was a long-time friend she was never going to see again. “No it’s okay. I guess I can have…” She went back to the freezer and fished out another carton. “Vanilla? Geez Clark haven’t you had enough of that in your life?”

He glared at her and put his jacket back down, if she wanted some she could fetch it herself. Though he was pleased to have her here, it usually meant something had happened. But he liked that she automatically went straight to the freezer, knew where everything was. 

He loved that she was comfortable here. She was his best friend, and because of that, he always knew to keep that freezer well stocked. Why had he forgotten to buy more? Oh right…he remembered. But wished he hadn’t. 

Instead he focused on Lois and her search for sustenance. She had now moved to the fridge, no doubt to find any of the pie that she knew he baked.

“Okay so what gives?” she said, frustrated as she straightened up. “First there’s no Rocky Road and now there’s no pie? Call yourself a friend?”

“I didn’t have time to make one.”

She actually pouted, though he would bet she didn’t know it. “But you always make one. Every week, you have ever since your mom and dad left for Washington.”

He chuckled. “I know, but this week has been a little…well you know.”

Lois’ expression sobered long enough for her to forget about her ice cream. “Yeah I know.”

There was a brief silence, not an uncomfortable one, but neither knew what to say. So Clark decided to change the subject.

“So what did Josh do tonight?”

“What do you mean?” she asked, in a tone that suggested she knew very well what he meant. “And you know very well that it’s Joshua, not Josh. You know he hates that.”

Clark grinned, he did know that. That was precisely why he did it. It wasn’t that he had anything against Lois’ boyfriend, he just thought she could do better. Josh was…well, he was not Lois’ type. At all. 

“Well you raiding my freezer tells me something didn’t go right tonight. So what did he do this time?”

Lois sighed and sat down. “He ‘forgot his wallet’” She used air quotes. “This of course meant, again, that I had to pay for dinner.”

“I thought you were a modern woman?”

“I am, but come on Clark, a gentleman should pay at least a couple of times don’t you think?”

Clark couldn’t help but smile, because when she said the word gentleman, she looked straight at him. Did that mean she thought he was a gentleman? He always tried to be, he’d been raised as one after all. 

“I agree.” he replied. Through all of their banter, which he loved, he knew that whenever things went bad, this was the first place she came. Almost like she felt safe here. And that was nice to know. 

“Anyway, he dropped me off at my apartment but I didn’t want to stay there. I thought we could watch a movie or something.”

Clark nodded. “Yeah, that sounds good to me. Are you sure you don’t want me to go get some ice cream?” 

“It’s okay, I’ll just have vanilla…” Though she made a face at that. “But you better have a lot of chocolate sauce.”

“It’s in the top cupboard.”

Lois smiled and hopped off her stool to get it, but quickly found that she couldn’t reach it. Clark moved forward to help her at the exact same time that she turned around to him and they collided. He grabbed her by the upper arms to steady her and for a moment, neither spoke. 

Then Lois smiled. “Good grief Smallville…” She pushed him out of the way. “Practice blocking much?” She threw him a wink before she walked back to her bowl and started spooning the ice cream into it. 

Clark just smiled and shook his head and got the sauce down for her.

“Oh I didn’t get you a bowl. Can you grab one for me?”

“Sure,” As he reached into the cabinet for another bowl, he heard a loud crash. He turned around to see Lois grabbing at her head and her face was scrunched up. He was by her side in a second, grabbing her arm.

“Lois? What is it?”

“Head…again. Man, it hurts.” 

“Here, sit down.” He carefully lowered her onto a stool and went to get her a glass of water. “Are you okay?”

She took the glass with a hand that he noticed was shaking, but she nodded. “Yeah, it’s easing a little. But that one was stronger Clark.”

“Maybe we should take you somewhere.”

Lois looked up at him through pain filled eyes. “Where?”

“To a doctor. These headaches aren’t right Lois, you’ve been getting too many and I don’t like it. Does Josh know?”

“Joshua,” she grunted. “And no he doesn’t.”

“Well I’m taking you to see a doctor anyway.”

She opened her mouth to disagree but winced instead. Finally she nodded. “Okay, we’ll go tomorrow. For now though, let’s just watch our movie.”

To Be Continued….

Title: A Kleptomaniacs Confessions of Love as Told to a Monkey
Author: FWVidChick (Jen)
Pairings: Clois 
Rating: PG - PG -13..there is a few suggestive bits.. 
Disclaimer: I own nothing (obviously) and I just enjoy writing it. Its called fandom.

Also posted on Ksite and FF 
Theme: Sexy romantic, confessional..

Summary: Doctor Lemur is in the house and well listening to the rambles of a drunk Kleptomaniac in love. 

Time Frame: Not long before Clark wakes up at the beginning of Fortune. 

A/N: I’ve always wanted to write this since after Fortune aired. I mean really.. What did Clark do with his new friend..ect. At one point i was going to have them walking down the alley together and Clark babbling. but I like this as I got another idea from the Clois thread and the crazy’s there about Clark and his klepto habits and Chloe’s part in that. Haha.. so this was born. Hope its enjoyed. 

Thanks to Nat for beta-ing  

Kleptomaniac - Someone with an irrational urge to steal in the absence of an economic motive.

♥


In his present state, it was viewed as perfect. Every item he had ‘found’, in his opinion, were positioned just right. She’d be so happy…it was all proof as to how much he loved her. Not a single item didn’t have a story behind it, a reason why he had chosen them.

It made sense now, though later his sober mind wouldn’t be able to fathom the logic and reasoning of his enchanted and inebriated self. Nor would the woman he loved be able to make any sense of it either.

Clark placed the very last and the most precious piece in his pilfered collection in the closet. Careful to lean the petite blonde back carefully and not damage her. Standing upright and even containing his euphoria might not be easy, but he still had some sense so as to not hurt her. Besides, Lois would kill him if he did.

Chloe wasn’t just the most precious part of what he wanted to show Lois, she was the center piece. As much as signs,lamp posts, and other items from places they had been, would mean something to Lois just as much as they did to him, nothing would compare to having her cousin permanently in her life.

Once again, Clark planned to keep Chloe in his back pocket (or closet if you will). This time though, it was because he knew he wanted her as his best friend and Lois’ too. No more Chloe disappearing. No way, no how. It would make Lois so happy.

It never occurred to him that being claimed in such away might upset the blonde in question or any other person for that matter. Not that she would ever know later, nor did she even have a chance to protest when he ‘took’ her.

If she had known mentioning her plans in her intoxicated state to a man that was even more out of it than her would have her end up in said closet, Chloe would have kept her mouth shut. Fortunately, her ability to stay conscious vanished just as Clark decided that he couldn’t let her go. Besides, in that said state of ill logic, Chloe might have just willingly participated in being part of his love collection. 

One would never know.

Turning from the closet, Clark surveyed one last time every item. His attention was drawn away for a moment by the lemur sitting on the bed post. Doctor Lemur, as Clark had lovingly bestowed on his new friend, chittered at him. He was hungry.

Clark didn’t get the message as preoccupied as he was. Instead, he sat down on the bed and turned to his furry friend and told him a story of love. How the blow up palm tree reminded him of Lois, the Luthor corp sign, atleast the part he stole, made him think of her…how he wanted to give her the world.

The monkey listened, mostly because he had no choice, wondering when the big man would give him something to eat. Hopefully soon. An ignorant Clark continued his tale with earnest affection, on the verge of blubbering as his emotions for one Lois Lane over ran his thoughts.

“You know…” he sighed dramatically, “I think she ran away again.”

Doctor Lemur gave him a long look. Clark took it as a sign to elaborate.

“She has done it before, leaving when things got a bit too much.” his voice almost cracked with emotion.

“Left when …” Clark frowned, his past love’s name for some strange reason wasn’t coming to him. “We almost kissed, you know…and then she ran away.”

Doctor Lemur bobbed his head; his usual companions understood it meant he wanted something. Again Clark took it as an interest in his tale of woe. “She…my lovely Lois also ran away when I kissed her. ” He leaned towards the monkey, putting his face so close he could look him eye to eye.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she had a thing against my kisses. But…” He smirked as he remembered the sounds he could get her to make when he kissed her.“I know for a fact she loves my lips.”

“Do you realize,” he continued, the smirk widening, taking up the whole of his face.“She has named each lip…yes…I am that good.”

“Really,” he tilted his head thoughtfully. “I’m in the wrong profession. I mean, if I am that good of a kisser, why am I a reporter?”

Exasperated at the lack of food provided, Doctor Lemur chittered again. Moving from the post to the man’s lap.

Having lost his train of thought on alternative professions, Clark stroked the monkey’s back and went back to surveying. “That lamp post is my favorite. We’d go for walks and always stop underneath it at some point. Sometimes to talk, sometimes to kiss…once I even felt her up underneath it.” Clark wasn’t sure which of those times he liked best, though the coping a feel was near the top of his list for sure.

Doctor Lemur gave up on the sitting in the lap tactic as it was only getting him the occasional pet which was not what he wanted. So he began to search the bed for any possible food.

Clark paid the monkey no mind, continuing his ramble, “I love her, you know. So much…more than I ever thought possible. I mean, really? How does she do it? Its like she crawled right under my skin.” Using hand motions to illustrate the whole crawling under his skin metaphor, Clark shook his head with exasperation. “She must have some sort of magical power I tell you. How does someone so… bossy do that? To me?”

He looked at the Doctor Lemur with questioning eyes. “How?”

The monkey returned the look, wondering the same thing when it came to how thick the man could be.

“I mean, I’m invulnerable…well, to everything except kryptonite. But Lois…Lois just…defies that! And to make it worse…I like her bossyness. It’s so…” he waved a hand in the air trying, to find the word. “Her…it’s so Lois!” Snorting, Clark laid back on the bed.

“I can’t get enough of her and I don’t just mean her hot body,” He turned to exchange a meaningful glance with his new friend, “and when I say hot, I mean hot. The things I can do…well, the things I do do to that body. But,” he shook his head, returning his gaze to the ceiling. “that’s not the point…it’s not what makes me want her really.”

Clark went quiet as he tried to find words to express all the love he felt inside of him. Some of the adjectives that came to mind were not, in his opinion, good enough and some…when his mind wandered back to her hot body, were just plain inappropriate in front of such a young mind as his monkey friend.

For a second, he felt the tears threaten his eyes, the words spilling out. “She is amazing…makes me so happy…everytime she walks in a room, she takes my breath away. Every time…do you know how big my lungs are? And yet she can do that to me.”

He turned to lay on his side as if he was having a sleep over talk with a friend, “I don’t tell her this ‘cause it might make her run away again. But I want her to have many babies with me.” He smiled. “I want them to all have her eyes…those beautiful hazel eyes. ”

Another thought occurred to him as he found sleep trying to claim him. “I think I should have grabbed something for a baby, you know, so she knows without me telling her.” He looked at Doctor Lemur finally getting an idea of why the monkey was rummaging around his bed. Pulling a snack pack of chips from Lois’ emergency stake out bag, Clark tossed it to the monkey before laying down properly on the bed.

“I do love her thighs you know,” he half mumbled now. “They are just like her laugh…” Clark wouldn’t have been able to explain that comparison if he tried, but he meant it. “So beautiful…sweet in a sort of kick your ass cherry kind of way.”

The words kept spilling out, images of them together filled his head, sometimes just of talking and others a little more NC-17 rated. Smiling goofily to himself, Clark looked at the ceiling, remembing how they had painted it once already to cover up the scorch marks.

“She…does this thing you know. With her…” He glanced at the monkey. “Never mind, but it’s nice.. well more than that.” His eye lids grew heavy. “I love that porchswing - it goes good with her hair…”

More than lost to soused influenced dreams, Clark felt the heat grow in his eyes and gave one last ego happy smirk as he released the heat, before falling back to sleep. Another token of his affection for one Lois Lane burned in all its glory on the ceiling.


♥

“Why do we have a parking meter?” Lois looked at the item in question as Clark placed it with the others in the corner of the living room.

“I don’t know.”

“You are so weird when you’re drunk.”

“I get a little leeway. How often have I been drunk?”

Lois laughed, “Fair enough, but still..there are a lot of things to return and I can’t figure out why you took even half of it.” Her eyes roamed over the vast array of objects. There didn’t seem to be a theme she could recognize.

“Your guess is as good as mine. ” Clark put his hands around her waist, drawing her to him. Her back pressed firmly to his front. “I do love what you did when you were drunk.”

Lois frowned for a moment, before leaning back into him, turning her head slightly to look inhis face. “What? Gamble away my ring?”

“No.” He gave a slight teasing smile, letting his hands drift down to her lower stomach. “I meant that private art show I now have.”


Lois turned in his arms now, grinning herself. “Oh that…well…call me a rebel.”

“More like a sap”

“Hey, a tattoo there is not sappy.”

“No, I guess not. But the words “Lois loves Clark always” kinda is.”

“Yeah, well…I think you should get a matching one, if it would take. It would say“Lois’ property onl..” She didn’t get to finish before his lips claimed hers for a deep consuming kiss.

When they finally pulled away, Lois smacked his rear and grabbed the paint bucket.“Okay Romeo… lets go. Though maybe, we should leave it?”

“No, it would be a little hard to explain.”

“Not many people see our bedroom, Clark.”

“It’s not just the bedroom though, is it? We had one across the living room and a third in the bathroom.” Clark frowned, not remembering making any of the three blur symbols.

“You really do like marking your territory, don’t you?” Lois giggled as she headed up the stairs. “Oh and just for clarification, we are not keeping the monkey.”

Smiling, Clark shook his head as he followed. Too bad, he thought. For some reason, he felt the monkey understood him.


♥/♥


Comments are like Cookies..feed me! 

Title: Impulses and Choices
Author: FWVidChick (Jen)
Pairings: Clois 
Rating: PG 
Disclaimer: I own nothing (obviously) and I just enjoy writing it. Its called fandom.
Theme: Sadness/heartbreak
Posted on Ksitetv - 

Impulses and Choices - One shot (Prophecy)

and on Fanfiction.net / or my blog 

About this fic: 

Despite the sadness of the final Clois scene in Prophecy i loved the moment, for me it had been coming and it made sense that everything of that day had caused it. This is about how I feel Lois was thinking and feeling. 

The ep wasn’t 100% perfect, but for myself, I really liked it and cant wait to find out how Clark gets her back.
**

That morning she had felt alive, busy but alive, ready to take on anything.

Now she felt hollow, guilty, and not sure if she could face any of it.

“Maybe Jor-El wanted me to know what it felt like to be you…”

Oh, she learned and because of it, nothing could ever be the same. She had been unable to get the voices out of her head, the cries for help, the need of others for Clark, for the blur. At first, she had simply used the power to get ahead in her overwhelming schedule, which really hurt no one. Then the impulse to help had come in, to know that if it was Clark out there, he’d have stopped, so shouldn’t she? Besides, to be aware there was a flood or a robbery and not do anything wasn’t in her nature. Normally, it would have meant her getting into trouble, possibly way over her head, but with Clark’s power, she didn’t need to be saved - she could save others.

“We’re as bullet proof as your…my skin.”

Fated words. Bullet proof but not invincible, a revelation that hurt. Not only was Clark her weakness, but she was reminded that she was his. And neither immune to the love between them, love that could drag them both down.

“See Lois, you are his greatest weakness, or should I say the blur”s greatest weakness…your death will break him.”

She had fled then, not wanting to be that weakness, not wanting to hold him back. To sacrifice what she wanted, needed, so he could do what he was destined to do. It had felt right and though it had hurt, she had been resolved to it. For Clark’s sake.

“What if you’re exactly the thing that might help him be the person you know he can be? What if you’re the one who makes his burden easier to bear?”

Was she? When she first came back from Africa she had thought, “I’ll help, but I won’t get to attached”. But then she got weak. He had stood there in the barn, handsome and confident.

“Lois get over here,” and she melted, she forgot all the plans to just be his friend.

“When it comes to big secrets, I’m not exactly Mata Hari. I could blow it all for him.”

In the end, it wasn’t her knowing his secret that would blow it, it was her…her weakness for him, his for her. She had faced Winslow with the intent of answers, a bravado knowing she couldn’t show weakness, not expecting him to know Clark’s secret or for Clark to be in danger. The bravado had been replaced by fear and in that fear she had made a choice on impulse. Glancing at her watch, knowing the power would be transferred soon. It was a gamble, but she had faith in Clark to overcome her, even if she feared him being attacked by others. It had felt like the right choice at the time.

“With every great relationship, Lois, comes a great burden and the strength to carry it.”

Strength. She had assumed and thought she had that strength. She had waited three weeks for his return, holding on to hope and every last bit of strength in her. Then that night, after they had talked, they had made love and she had felt complete, like they were invulnerable. But in light of her blaring weaknesses, of his choices, of the fact she knew keeping him to herself was selfish, how could being with him be strength?

She was impulsive. It was her impulses that put her in this position. How could that be good for him? Could she really sit by and be with him when he was needed? The guilt was overwhelming, only out done by the breaking of her heart.

There was one last bit of strength in her, to do what she knew needed to be done. To let him go.

“You’re not my weakness, you are my strength. Okay?”

Clark with his big heart, with his words that any other day would have healed her heart. But not now.

Looking into his eyes, she knew how much he loved her, how much he meant every word he said. He did not see what he really needed.

She could not be selfish. He would move on, she had to hope he would, he was stronger then her, had a better heart. Clark Kent did not need Lois to be a hero, she would not be his kryptonite.

“I’m sorry, Clark. ” Words spoken from a broken heart, more pain when her eyes caught his. She told herself again that he was strong enough.

“I’m stronger when you’re around anyway.”

No, Clark you’re not. She knew this, today was proof. She was impulse and he was choice. Lois Lane could not have her Smallville…her home at the expense of the world, of the hero they needed.

“I can’t marry you.”

In that moment, as the last of her heart crumbled and she saw in his eyes his fell apart too, she told herself that no matter what he said, she could not give in. Clark had a destiny that went beyond her.

He did as he always did, when she laid her head upon his chest, his arms went about her. He held her, though she knew she had hurt him. Once again, he proved he was the better one, the one strong enough; she did not even have the strength to look at his face a moment longer.

She was impulse and weakness. He was choices and strength.

*/*

Title: A Real Cup of Coffee
Author: FWVidChick (Jen)
Pairings: Clois 
Rating: PG 
Disclaimer: I own nothing (obviously) and I just enjoy writing it. Its called fandom.
Theme: Romantic,thoughtful.

Summary: Offscreenville of what how Lois and Clark thought when they went for a cup of coffee in Pandora.

Time Frame: Right after the end Clois scene of Pandora.

A/N: Wanted to do this for a while..A sorta look at what went through Clois as they had their non date cup of coffee. Wrote it mostly in one afternoon ages ago, then didn’t like it. But managed to finish it yesterday. Hopefully its enjoyed. 

Thanks to Nat for beta-ing 

❝ A Real Cup of Coffee ❞

How did they ever get here?

To a point where they weren’t two barely adults bickering and pretending they couldn’t stand each other. Lois mused while watching him at the counter buying blueberry muffins and coffee, taking in not only his handsome profile, but his mannerisms too. The way he was so polite; how one second he could be so confident and the next … awkward.

He murmured a thank you to the compliment the girl behind the counter gave him. Well more than a compliment; she had been flirting the whole time. Lois knew she should be annoyed, but she wasn’t. Seeing him fluster and then turn to smile widely at her had caused her own heart to flutter and she didn’t feel anything but happiness. Because here they were, about to have coffee in something that could be considered like a date…though it wasn’t.

Clark arrived back at the little cafe table and smiled at her; so much was said in the smile that again Lois felt her heart flutter. How was it he could do that? Turn her into that kind of girl? She knew, if honest with herself, that he had always had that over her. There simply was something about Clark Kent that broke the rules she had about how to deal with guys.

Her constant challenge through the years had been in figuring out how to deal with him. Even with everything she had felt for Oliver, it had never felt like it was all out of control…but with Clark, it was different. With him, she wasn’t always in control of the moment and though it could be scary, she liked it. No, like didn’t cover it…she loved it. It was terrifying and wonderful all at the same time.

“You okay?”

Lois blinked, “Oh, yes. I’m sorry, Smallville, just lost in thought.” She returned his smile.

He took a deep breath and seemed as if he wanted to say something to her, but then changed his mind. His eyes never left her face. Lois tried not to squirm under his intense gaze, forced to look away as she blushed and settled on concentrating on her muffin.

She was beyond beautiful to him. Always had been, but he had spent so much time being blind to it. Convinced that any connection he felt with her were moments of temporary insanity. Clark and Lois… a couple? Who in their right mind would think that was a good idea?

He did, now.

In fact, it was all Clark could think about for weeks. Even when his thoughts left her to deal with other matters in his life, they always turned back to her. That was how he knew. The way she swallowed him up and yet, instead of feeling crushed, he felt free.

The Lois Lane effect. He wanted to tell her that he didn’t just like her, didn’t just want to be Clark and Lois - the unfathomable couple. He wanted to tell her he wanted more. That he had fallen for her.

Opening his mouth, the words didn’t come so he snapped it shut, staring at her as if to try and understand everything that made Lois…Lois.

When she looked away and he caught the slight blush, it caused a warmth to spread through him. He did that. Clark wanted to be the one to always make her do that. She had no idea how amazing she was to him.

The girl he had claimed was bossy and rude. And yes she was those things, but they were a part of her charm. Clark didn’t even want to imagine a Lois without them.

Funny, when first meeting her, he had wanted to flee the feeling he so strongly embraced now. All his super strength and invulnerability couldn’t stand against the girl with dyed blonde hair, a lethal tongue and wicked way of turning his world upside down. She had been able to touch something deep inside.

Why had he run from it for so long?

Needing, no craving her touch, he slid his hand across the table and took her own. The feel of her fingers around his sent a pleasant shiver through him.

Finding the words and confidence, Clark asked what he needed to know. Catching her eyes when she looked up from picking at her muffin, he asked, “Can we go out tomorrow?”

A smile, a shy smile, peaked at the corner of her lips and he returned it. “On a date,”he added, wanting and needing to say it.

There it was again. That mix of the shy farm boy and sexy confident man. Who turned her, Lois Lane, into someone she always wanted to be deep down. A woman who didn’t have to be impervious all the time, someone who could feel her heart without worrying about it being broken.

She hadn’t always felt that way. At one point, he had been the biggest fear she had for having a broken heart…because he could get past those shields. Now, she let them down and found it wasn’t so hard.

Since returning from where ever she had been for three weeks, it had been growing. Along with erotic dreams and a sadness she couldn’t place.

Like at any moment, she expected the world to crumble down around her. Then his green eyes would look into her own and that feeling would turn into a need to hold him. What was it about Clark? It went beyond how he made her feel, to something else. At times, it seemed she could see into his soul and what she saw didn’t match the simple farm boy turned reporter.

Lois knew, she always had, that Clark was different. What you saw wasn’t really who he was, but she could not define it. She had tried. Even pretended she didn’t notice, but lately, along with her growing feelings for him, she couldn’t ignore the weight hidden in his eyes.

Clark Kent - the mystery. Clark Kent, who some how had stolen her heart.

Now he was asking her out. Both the confident man and the awkward boy.

“Yes.” She couldn’t leave it with such a simple answer. They were on the verge of something and her need to find some footing came through.

Lois held up a finger, stopping him from responding to her answer. “How about something simple? A movie?”

“A movie?” It was obvious he had thought of something more public.

“Yes, a movie. I mean we both enjoy movies, we could rent one and talk. I think it would be a great place to start. That is, if you really do like to watch movies with me…” Her tone had taken on the ramble vibe.

Rent a movie? He could sense the panic in her eyes. Not for dating him, but perhaps for what it meant. Could he blame her? No.

Neither of them had the greatest record. It hadn’t quite been an hour since she had voiced this concern and he had reassured her they’d take it slow…they’d get it right.

Reclaiming her hand that she had pulled away, he stopped the ramble. “Lois, I’d be happy too. Can I make you dinner?”

It wasn’t just his words that calmed the sudden storm inside, it had been his touch on her hand. She looked down at their hands - his large one around hers. He made her feel so safe.

Nodding, she looked back up and found the other reason the storm calmed. His face. He was relaxed, wearing a smile that said she could trust him, with eyes filled with a mix of apprehension at rejection, and dare she even think it? Love?

“Dinner? I’d love that Smallville.”

After an exchange of smiles and a small awkward silence, their mutual passion for a story came through. Work was the safest thing to discuss on this non date and they relished it. Fell into the familiar pattern of banter and besting.

During the conversation, Lois realized that there was something else that drew her to him. That while he may not be Mad Dog Lane or had a need to even be on the front page, Clark did have a strong sense of justice and a desire to write the truth. To get to the bottom of things when others wanted them hidden. He was there for his friends, even at the risk of his own life.

How he had taken the bullet for her only a couple of months before was still heavy on her mind. How he had risked his life on the ledge of the Daily Planet to save her was also there. Clark didn’t need the super powers of the Blur to be a good man.

A man worth taking the risk for.

When they got up to leave to head back to the Planet, it was in these thoughts that she once again took his arm without any hesitation. She didn’t notice the beaming smile that appeared on his face. Not that it mattered; it would have been there just the same.

Clark had spent the remainder of their coffee break watching her, enjoying the ability to appreciate everything of the moment and not feel like he had to hide it. It didn’t seem to matter if she noticed it or not; not once did she seem uncomfortable. Rather, Lois had given every indication she liked the confidence he felt.

She had no idea she gave him that confidence. How she did it, he couldn’t explain and he didn’t need to.

The walk back was different than previous times, but thrilling. Now all the undertones between them didn’t have to remain subdued and yet there was no need to rush anything either. The balance was a little awkward, but even that was fine. They would find it together, their pace, and Clark looked forward to testing the waters and exploring the mystery that was Lois Lane.

Arriving at their desks, they went back to familiar ground of pretending; only this time, trading looks that spoke of wanting to slip away. Neither did though; they worked. When Clark received a text from Chloe that she had somethings to show him, he found it didn’t stress him.

Lois had given him a freedom from worry over a possible future. One he was determined to change. Though it was one that showed him how deep what they had could go. This time, it would not be in circumstances surrounded by death and despair; no, it would have hope. He had hope.

Grabbing his jacket, he exchanged one last look with her before leaving with the excuse of a source.

Stepping out into the sun, he took his time, unable to stop the smile on his face or the happiness in his step. Today the sun was shining, Lois Lane was safe and they had a cup of coffee that was only the beginning.

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