~ღ~ Chapter Eight - Because You are My Heart ~ღ~

~Ten days after Clark becomes a fugitive, 5 days missing~

Drizzling rain streamed down through the already dark dreary slums, it was afternoon but the sunlight couldn't break through the clouds to warm the streets. Desperation was a scent that often filled the area, the footfalls of the panicked man that ran for his life only added to this.

Joe turned from looking behind him as he ran to realize he had run into a dead end, trapped between the buildings, the three thugs after him, and a dumpster. There was no where to go.

Turning to face his pursuers he spoke more calmly then he actually felt, "Just give me three more days, I promise I can get the payment by then."

"Nah.. you see Joe.. I'd already given you chances. " The smallest and most intelligent of the three men replied. The crow bar held against his shoulder, as he watched Joe with steel gray piercing eyes.

"Marcus.. I got you half the money and I can get the rest! " Joe glanced around trying to find a way out.

Marcus sighed and shook his head, "To late..because of you I've had some very serious and mightily important individuals breathing down my neck.. and I don't care for that", he looked to the two men on either side of him before turning his attention back to Joe, a thin smile spreading across his beady face.

"The way I see it, you'll be an example.. examples are good.. helps reinforce the positive you know!"
Tommi and the biggest of the three, whose name Joe never learned, both stepped closer to him. He felt sick, he knew this was it. They had backed him all the way to the wall now and from the looks on their faces he was doomed.

The chain the big one held whipped out and though Joe saw it coming, he could not avoid it. It hit him across his face and back causing him to cry out.

Several more times it hit him, till all he could see was blood and feel a pain that seared through him. Each time he plead for it to stop, hoping to fall unconscious.

Marcus stepped forward to have his turn and that's when the reprieve came.

A voice boomed out, "Stop and Step away from him."

It could be said that not single one of the four men expected the sight before them. Its not that Superman was unheard of there, what threw them off was his physical condition.

His suit was soaked with sweat, cape stained dark,and his hair disheveled, face scruffy. Joe, however, breathed a slight sigh of relief at the intense look on Superman's face. It didn't matter that he was aware of the news reports, who wasn't?

Superman stood tall and intimidating. Joe felt pleased at how Marcus and his goons hesitated, it was a happy thought to pass out on.

Marcus wasn't in the same position as Joe, so the sight of Superman while a momentary worry, it did not have the desired affect of putting him off. He took in the hero's appearance, and the recent reports of his supposed failing health, and found himself wanting to test this. Superman didn't kill so if he was wrong he'd be a little worse for wear, but he wasn't intimidated by pain and he had overly paid clever lawyers, it was worth the risk.

Hitting the crow bar into the palm of his hand he turned toward Superman and snickered, "Why don't you go mind your own business."

Tommi glanced at Marcus unsure of whether to have respect or wonder if his boss had lost his marbles. Either way he wasn't going to look weak himself, so he puffed out his big chest and stood taller. A small part of him knowing that this wasn't going to end nicely, Superman did not have a nice look on his face.

"This IS my business." Came the curt reply.

Marcus wondered if perhaps he had bit off more then he could chew at the sudden way Superman's eyes flashed red. It was to late however, their quieter and bigger third companion with the chain finally spoke up, he sealed the deal.

"This here is only our business.." Brains had never been his forte and Marcus cursed himself for not cutting out the fools tongue when Superman growled.

The sound was so deep that the men could feel it in their chests. Tommi did something he had never done all his life, he gulped in fear.

Marcus snapped at his companion, "You ******* fool.."

Then stopped at the sight of superman making his way to them, he stumbled, each step done in a jerking like motion. The hero could barely walk straight.

A smile spread across Marcus' face. So Superman was ill..really ill. This was worth the risk; it was information, it was a possible chance to prove that Marcus Donatello was not to be messed with.
What neither of the three men realized was Superman wasn't just ill, he was filled with a rage that he couldn't explain and could barely control and their challenge had been accepted.

~ღ Ten minutes earlier.. over seven blocks away ღ~

"I told them..I told them it wasn't right..that I didn't do it!" the words came out half mumbled. He blinked trying to focus his vision which at times alternated between normal and X-ray, he was loosing control of everything. All his powers were there but they were all out of whack.

At times it was if he was on overload feeling stronger or faster then he ever had, other times they were reduced. Not to the level of a human but definitely not full powered. Then there was the moments where he just plain had no control and that included his thoughts.

Wiping his brow, he stumbled into the side of the building, not sure where he was going or why, just that he needed too.

"I would never.. never..hurt her..not in a billion years..I told them this!"

Clark could hear the sound of the rain above him hitting the gutters and it was irritating. Ping! Ping! Loudly over and over.. He looked up, half yelling. "STOP!.. Just Stop!" he backed away from the building only to find himself hitting the side of another. It was then he realized he was in an alley, but where? what city..what country?

Nothing stuck out at him as an obvious indicator, which if he had have had any real clarity of thought, he would have mused wasn't surprising. He could barely walk in a straight line let alone think.

Looking up and down his vision again alternating, settling mostly on x-ray, he couldn't distinguish which direction to go down, or which direction he had come from.

Shaking his head, he leaned back against the wall closing his eye's, "Must get to her.. stop it.."

He heard the voice, seen the shadow out of the corner of his eye, "You will fail.. " Clark didn't bother to look at the shadow, every time he tried before it would vanish.

"I won't.. I promised her ", he stumbled again, head ringing from so much noise. He tried to calm it down, gain some control of his hearing. It took several minutes before it settled.

"Come on Kent.. Go home!" he hissed at himself. "Where is home.. where am I?"

"awww poor Kryptonian.. struggling in vain."

"Listen.. listen for her heart.." he mumbled into his hands, ignoring the shadow. Taking a deep breath he tried again to hear the beat that use to live in his soul.

Sometimes, during the last few days, Clark had thought at times he could hear it. But then it always seemed to be his own he was following.

Following.
Lost without her.
Empty.

He could not find her beat, yet he knew she was alive. He would find her, save her.

A voice echoed in his mind, "You can not save you both"..

"I will.. I won't let you have her." he growled back.

Frustration, hopelessness, an agony that spread from his heart, his very soul came to a bursting point, pouring out like an anger that he could not control. Turning, he punched the wall, slamming the brick repeatedly, each punch he added more strength behind it till the wall began to shake and crumble. He could hear cries of alarm from inside the building but in that moment all he could feel was his own pain.
It was the sound from a half a mile away that saved the rest of the wall and himself from exposure.

Stopping, he turned his head listening.

"Please stop..please!"

Something stirred deep inside and he found himself moving towards the cry of fear and pain. It wasn't in him no matter how lost in his own suffering to resist coming to aid. He had to, he was Superman, he was Lois' hero..

He wasn't sure how he even arrived to the scene or if he could control himself enough to be a help, but at the sight of the man, bloody and curled into a ball on the ground, drove out any care on that. He would save him.

It was obvious after a short exchange that the three men beating on the other weren't planning on making it easy on themselves or him. Fine, Clark thought, they want to know how Superman feels I'll show them what Superman thinks of all this.. the rage inside hadn't gone away and having this moment would be a release.

Marcus waited for Superman to come at least half way to them before nodding to his companions and the three of them closed the distance the rest of the way. He wasn't stupid, even ill he expected Superman to be stronger but he figured the three of them had a chance.

Swinging the crow bar at Superman's side it connected and to his amazement the hero grunted from the impact. So he swung again and regretted it. The second swing felt more like he had hit the side of a steel wall and pain shot up his own arm. The crow bar now crumpled in on itself.

Clark grabbed Marcus by the throat, while swinging his other arm hitting Tommi in the stomach sending him fly back against the dumpster. Chain man swung at him, but Clark this time found the speed to react and caught the chain, pulling roughly sending the man spinning. He let go of the chain as the man spun and it wounded itself around him.

Clark didn't even register the man's screams as he used his heat vision to weld the chains on him, slightly burning his flesh from the heat.

Marcus tried to pry himself free, but not only did Superman have his throat but he was cutting off the air supply. He kicked and squirmed but the hero didn't seem to notice or care. Desperate he tried to plea, slamming on Superman's arm. He thought he was going to die when suddenly he was slammed against the alley wall, his throat free, though he was now pinned by a hand to his chest.

"What city is this?" Superman growled into his face.

Marcus manage to croak, "What?" He was pretty sure that his arm was broken and was wondering if he'd ever be able to speak properly again.

Clark was in no mood, "What city?" he grabbed the man by the shirt.

"I told you.. you can't save her.." A voice echoed around them.

Glancing about sharply he ended up putting to much pressure on Marcus' chest, causing the man to collapse, he dropped him and spun around.

"Get out of my head!", Clark bellowed.

There was no response but he could feel it, the thing swimming through his veins, eating away at him.
His legs gave out under him as sharp burning pain raged through him, gasping he hit the side of the building as he went down.

"No..No! I promised Lois.."

Just before his vision left him he caught the edge of sign at the top of one of the buildings. The city name surprised him. Why had he come here? Why hadn't he gone to Metropolis.. he had tried but during the mess of the last few days he had no direction.

"Lois ..I'm sorry", with thoughts of her in his heart and the sign in his vision he faded out, clinging to a memory of love.

~ღ Earlier that year ღ~

A summer night breeze blew through her hair as she turned and smiled at him, positively radiant with a mixture of happiness from a pleasant evening and the alcohol in her system.

"I don't think travel by Kent airlines will ever get old.." Lois began as they made their way to the back door. She was practically skipping, her hand still firmly holding on to his.

"Good to hear. " he grinned at her, finding her mood to be the cherry topping of their evening out. He pulled her close to him delighting in the expression in her eye's as their lips met, then twirled her around just before they got to the door.

"Whooooooaa.." she giggled out, "If I didn't know any better I'd say Smallville was a little tipsy.."

"I'm happy.. I don't do tipsy."

"Well there was the one time when you were.."

Clark shook his head, slipping the key into the lock as they now both stood at the door, his face only a breath away from hers, "Let's not ruin the mood rehashing that experience.."

Giggling, Lois bit her lip as her gaze flickered back and forth between his lips and eye's. "No, lets not."

Smiling, Clark met her lips with his own, first sucking lightly on her bottom lip till she playfully bit him back, then deepened the kiss, teasing his tongue under her top lip along the gum's. He felt her intake of breath in reaction, the way her body shivered against his.

Pinning her against the door, he put his hand through her hair, the other up the back of her dress. Caught up in the heat, Lois slipped one hand into the back of his pants while the other desperately tried to find the door knob.

After several failed attempts she managed to turn the knob, the weight of their bodies pushing the door open causing them to stumble through, only momentarily breaking them apart.

Eventually the need for air won out and Lois pushed Clark back just far enough to breath, "Porch swing..." she murmured, grabbing the front of his shirt pulling him back in for another consuming kiss, trying to lead them to the front door.

"hmm.." Clark responded attempting to get her form fitting dress off her, which between its design, the passionate kissing, and Lois' erratic guidance.. was hard work.

"Porch swing", came Lois' winded reply, somewhat frustrated from their lack of progress toward the desire in question.

"Not.. a..good idea.." Clark said between kisses, managing to finally figure out the dress, slipping it off her and flinging it towards the couch.

Laughing, Lois tried to combine undoing the buckle of his pants and taking of her shoes while still keeping her lips in the vicinity of his; it wasn't going very well. She gave up after a moment and focused on his pants and shirt instead. "Its the perfect idea.."

Grinning from ear to ear, she pulled away and turned glossy eyes on his, "Come on Smallville..."
"Lois you're drunk!"

"Correction Smallville..I'm tipsy." she paused from working on his pants to hold up a finger.

"Drunk.." Clark laughed as he moved his head away from the finger she almost shoved in his eye.

'I'll remember this all tomorrow so it qualifies as tipsy."

He was surprised she wasn't slurring, "You out drank Oliver tonight.."

Beaming as if she had won award, she laughed, "He's such a lightweight!"

"I'm sure Chloe is thrilled."

"Well.. when.. it..it..is her special day she can pick the activities..including the condition of..Olliever."
Clark raised a brow at her new pronunciation of their friends name.

"You are completely plast.."

"Nope..not.. and stop arguing Smallville.. gee you'd figure you didn't have a sexy wife pawing all over you, trying to undress..ing you.." She frowned at her own grammar but continued, ".. with the way you're acting"

Lois rolled her eye's and decide now was a good time to take off her heels. But her coordination wasn't exactly the best, one hand holding a fist full of Clark's shirt, she slipped off one shoe but started to fall when she went for the other.

Catching his stumbling wife, Clark pulled her close and kissed her firmly, "This is happening in bed." He was starting to wonder if she'd even make it there before passing out.

"Fine.. as long as your naked and its sextastic.. " Lois shrugged, thinking it didn't really matter whether it was the porch swing, bed, door, couch, barn, chair..as long as she had him.

Chuckling, Clark shook his head and kissed her again pushing them towards the stairs. They hit the wall next to them, Clark trailed a finger under strap of her bra, planting kisses down her neck then to her shoulder.

Lois finished undoing his pants and began to pull them down, pausing to let out a moan of pleasure when his tongue began to tease. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head, as he cupped her breast firmly, then ran his hands down her back, fingers along the lower edges of her panties.

"Stop!"

He pulled back to look into her eyes, confusion and worry flashed through his, "Lois?"

Staring at him intently, she took a deep breath then she bit her lip, "Clark.. stop teasing me.. you want me? the beds up there!" she raised a brow pointedly.

She was delighted with the lust that refilled his green eyes, his mouth claimed hers as he stripped of his shirt.

He was about to pick her up and carry her up the stairs, when he felt the sudden vibration from his phone in his front pocket that was pressed firmly between them. Lois jumped feeling it too, going off balance at her reaction they fell to the floor.

Clark took the brunt of the fall so Lois wouldn't get hurt, it didn't surprise him that she laughed through it all. Looking down from where she was sitting on him, she scowled, "Who would be so rude as to inter..interrupt us?"

Pulling his phone out, Clark held it up so they could see and sighed. They both recognized the number, "Oh Clark.. didn't you tell him?" she pouted which only turned him on more.

"I did.. " the phone began buzzing again. "I'll tell him we're busy.."

"Good!"

"Not the best time.." It took a bit of work to not sound completely irritated as he answered the phone.

"Kent, I have the latest report which you need to see, can you come over so we.." a deep voice responded.

Lois wasn't impressed. For the past few week it had been shop talk constantly between the two hero's. How was it the man could run a multimillion dollar empire and protect a city but not remember what today was?

No! Lois decided, it was best she handled the guy, grabbing the phone out of Clark's hand, she purred, "Hello Bruce..its Lois."

Scowling at her, Clark tried to grab it back, "Nuh huh Smallville.." Lois turned slightly so the phone was out of reach as she continued.

"Brucey my friend do you know what today was? Today was my birthday.. and as the birthday girl.. I get to..to.. choose what I decide to do. This means out to eat and beer pong with family and friends. Then I get to take this man who is my... husband..the man you just called.. " Lois grinned widely at Clark, adding, "..and have my wicked way with him.."

"Lois!" Clark's eye's widen, if he had of thought her little speech was going to go there he would have tried harder to get the phone back.

"Its birthday tradition..well not yet but it will be." she added smugly

"LOis!"

Raising an eyebrow as if he was being silly, Lois put a hand over the phone, "He's not a child.." smirking she asked into the phone, "You're not a child right Bruce?.."

"... No"

"Good, so you can understand when I say that I don't want the phone ringing interrupting birthday sex." Clark groaned and reached for the phone again, Lois giggled and swatted at him as she continued. From the look in her eye's though he knew he would be in trouble if he tried to 'cheat' to get the phone.
"So unless there is a dire situation like people dying then.."

"Lois, I just need to talk to him." Bruce replied, glancing at the calender, realizing he had done exactly what Clark had warned him not to do.

"Is anyone going to die now or later if Clark does not come and see you tonight, be honest with me, Bruce, because as a reporter I'd ..I'd..I'd know if you were lying."

Clark gave up on both trying to save some dignity in this situation and saving Bruce who had walked into this. He had warned him not only about her birthday but about how his Lane could be, the man was on his own now.

"..No"

"Good..are you yourself in any danger?" Lois held a serious expression though her eyes glimmered. Clark could only hope nothing worse came out of her mouth, he leaned his head back, continuing to listen.
"..No", Bruce said again already getting the point.

"Okay, so now that we have settled this..here..now..whatever, it can wait right?"

"Yes Lois, it can wait."

"I am so glad we understand each other.. Clark will see you in the morning.." she winked at Clark, "When I am done with him"

Lois pulled the phone back and was about to hit the hangup button when Clark snatched it back, slightly at super speed, preventing her, "Sorry.. Yes."

Sighing, Lois leaned down and began to kiss along his jawline. She wasn't about to wait, if Bruce wanted to hang on the phone it was his own issue.

" I'll be there.. " Clark started to moan and stopped, putting his hand over the phone he hissed. "Lois wait a second.."

Shaking her head, she slid her hands slowly and teasingly up his chest.

Clark held back the moan this time, his eyes rolled back instead as he managed to say into the phone, "Yes she is ...and thanks. .Bye."

"I am what?" Lois asked, tracing her fingers softly back down his chest, feeling the taut muscle twitch ever so slightly in reaction.

"A handful.."

Smiling proudly, she leaned down till their faces touched, "The best sort.. now what are you going to do about it?"

Tossing the phone so it landed on the couch, Clark tilted his head to the side, his eyes roving over her. Finally getting a chance to appreciate her low cut lacy bra.

"I have ideas.." he responded huskily. Lois felt a shiver at the intensity of his look.

"You do? Well being the birthday girl I request you share them in detail! "

"Request?" Clark smirked and put a hand to his ear, "Did I hear that right you request..since when does Lois request anything."

They were dangerous words and he knew as soon as he said it she would retaliate. Her face was still near his, she whispered as her hand trailed slowly down his sides, brushing all his sensitive spots lightly with the tips of her fingers, especially along his pelvis going to his groin.
"You are absolutely right.. what was I thinking? "

If he wasn't already laying on the floor he would have thrown his head back in reaction to her touch, he had to settle for a deep moan, "You tell me.."

"MmmMM.. " she smiled and kissed him, slipping her hand into his pants that had already been undone from her earlier efforts. "I think I.. " she found an already stimulated junior, "I'll show you what the birthday girl wants.."

Clark groaned at her touch, her finger tips teasing him. Reaching up, he roughly put his hand into her hair and pulled her lips to his.

Lois squealed when he suddenly rolled them, pressing his body into hers, mouth unrelenting. When he finally pulled back,so she could catch her breath, she smiled with swollen lips.

"Have I ever said how much I like this floor?", she ran a hand along the wood floor and then down his side.

"hmm.. no though it doesn't surprise me..considering everywhere else you've 'liked'."

Lois laughed and tilted her head, "Does it bother you?"

Clark smirked, clutching her hair, "Let me show you what I think.." then he laid kisses between her breast before trailing down.

Lois laughed, trying not to squirm as he kissed his way down her, then after a moment she arched her back and gasped, "Oh Smallville.. !"

So much for the bed.

~ Present ~

The roaring sound coming from the alley was heard blocks away, felt beneath feet, vibrating windows. It caused a stir, though no one was willing to check it out, it wasn't the safest city. People learned fast to not put their nose where it didn't belong and even more so in that part of the city. Curiosity didn't just kill cats.

While most may have been afraid, one was not, nor was he curious. He knew what the noise was, it was his friend, a comrade in arms against the darkness that resided in human hearts.

Black leather boots strolled down the alley with cautious confidence, stopping about twenty feet in front of the fast moving red and blur blur.

"This is disappointing.." A gruff voice spoke softly, "I had hoped the next time I saw you, it would be on much better terms."

A gloved hand reach into an utility belt around a tight fitting dark suit and pulled out a small lead capsule.
He didn't take any particular enjoyment in the idea of the pain he was about to cause his friend, in the short time they had known each other, he had found a deep respect for the man even at times his idealism was a touch inconvenient.

Opening the capsule, a ring with a green jewel fell into the palm of his hand, it glowed green the closer he stepped to the fast moving blur. Abruptly the blur stopped and settled into the figure of Superman laying on top of torn up tar and stone.

"Its time to get you out of here."

~ღ~

When you love someone, when everything about them has away of enchanting you. The not so pleasant moments of life are worth it, most of the time you barely notice them. This was one of those times for Clark, after an hour of Lois being periodically sick he began the process of cleaning up. The task took hardly any time and didn't even registered on his radar.

If he was asked, he would have said that he liked taking care of her, even in this state of unconscious with her head and arm draped against the tub. Lifting her up carefully, he smiled as he carried her to the bed, loving the way her body instinctively relaxed into his touch. It meant a lot to him that she trusted him when she couldn't take care of herself, whether from being ill or just beer pong with Oliver.

After placing her on the bed, he went to her dresser and pulled out one of his flannels that she had claimed a long time ago. The red and gold plaid pattern was her favorite, he remembered once that she said it made her think of the early days when she had been first welcomed into the Kent family. He knew what she meant, that like him she missed his father, and the family feeling they had all had here with his parents.

He lifted her up and slipped the flannel over her head, the buttons were never undone. He had been lectured once that if he ever broke the buttons off that shirt he'd get it. She hadn't been joking either.

Clad only in his boxers, he climbed into the bed next to her and gently pulled her into his arms so her head was resting on his chest, covering them with a sheet. This was where he liked to be, he didn't need the sleep but he enjoyed the quiet with her and soothing rhythm of her heart and breathing.

Brushing back her hair from her face, he leaned back and closed his eye's after a few moments of listening to the steady beat of her heart, he dozed off.

Lois wasn't sure what woke her but was grateful for three things; it was dark, she was comfortable in their bed, and resting in Clark's arms. Smiling, she lifted her head just slightly as anymore then that and it began to throb. Repositioning herself a little, she realized she had drooled on his chest.

"Lois.. you okay?.. going to be sick?"

Lois noticed the bowl on the beside table and realized what the rest of Clark's night must have been like. "No.. head hurts but no." She positioned herself carefully so she could see his face, not to mention move from her drool spot .

Nuzzling her face into his neck she murmured, " I take it that I've taken that porcelain trip again..I'm sorry!"

Shifting just enough so he could see part of her face, he ran his fingers down her arm, "Just a little one.. its no big deal, part of the birthday package."

Lois snorted then regretted it when pain flashed through her head, "Yeah well I'm sorry.. hope 'it' wasn't you know..bad?"

Then she frowned as she recalled images of skin, touching, their bodies in movement together culminating into a glorious rhythm that came from a delightful amount of practice. "Wait.. we did right? I mean I didn't dream that because that was just to good to have been a dream!"

Clark chuckled,the deep sound caused her to smile, "No.. it wasn't a dream. It was before you started your trip."

"If memory serves.." she smiled to herself, "On the floor.."

"It started there, then ended up a few other places.." Tracing lazy circles on her arm.

"Not the swing?"

"That requires sober Lois.."

"Well its not the first time we've failed to make it to the bed.. certainly won't be the last,"

"I don't imagine it will and you.." he placed a hand gently on her side, smirking, "lets just say I was looking forward to tonight for a while now!"

"Oh please.. what? so I should get drunk more often then?.. Just so you can have wild sex?" It was a good thing their neighbors were atleast a mile away.

".. if it didn't include you feeling sick after then yeah!" she could feel him smiling, amoung other things.

"I wonder what everyone would think if they saw this side of Clark Kent," he grabbed her hand before she had a chance to take advantage of his turn on.


"Hmm, Its just for you... but that," he stressed the word as he put her hand on his stomach and patted it. "Is not going to happen.. You need to rest." While she remembered the fun he could clearly remember what came after.

"Spoil sport!" Lois nuzzled him again and closed her eyes. "When you need to go..you can you know.. I'll be fine."

"I'm in no hurry."

"Really Clark.."

"I'd rather be here with you then there with him. "

"Really? because I thought for a bit there that you two had something going on..been kind of jealous."
Clark laughed, "You needn't be..He is no where near sexy enough.."

"So your using him for his gadgets then.."

"Of Course.."

"You'd actually rather be here? Possibly holding my hair again.."

" Hmm.. sexy birthday Lois or workaholic Wayne.. I think I'll take the birthday girl."

"You're so sweet."

"hmm..I try."

They grew still, relaxed, hands intertwined over his chest. The only sound either of them could hear was their heart beats that had synchronized together into a restful rhythm.

Clark started to doze off again when Lois leaned up slightly. Opening one eye he looked at her, seeing her serious expression in the semi darkness.

"What's wrong?"

"Clark.. Why do you love me?"

Not sure if it was the emotional tide that came with sobering up or if she was seriously wondering, he smiled at her and brushed her hair behind her ear. "Lois.. "

"Please.. I want to know, why?"

Clark turned so they could look each other full in the face, "I love you.." he began voice soft and tender, words coming easy from his heart because the reverberated through his entire being every day, "because you make me feel at peace, like I can do anything. When it becomes heavy you smile and I feel free, you always know what to say, you are everything to me."

He gave her that boyish grin that always melts her insides, and placed his hand over her heart, "I love you because you are my heart and you're ..you!"

Feeling the weight of his words and seeing the love in his eye's caused her own to tear up. She swallowed not wanting to turn into a sap, especially when she didn't feel completely sober yet, if the water works turned on now they had a good chance of not turning off.

Clark watched her, sensing the emotion playing through her, and as usual came to her rescue. "Why do you love me?"

"The sex.." she replied dead panned, shifting the mood.

Chuckling, Clark gave a half smile, "You love me for my body?"

"Why not?.. You have a very nice one.. is there more I should be aware of.."

"You may love me for my body.. but you aren't getting more of it now if that's your goal."

"Oh gee.. " Lois giggled, "You saw right through me!"

"That's another thing I love.."

"What?"

"That you surprise me. "

Silence grew between them, and once again Clark started to drift but Lois felt guilty for not answering his question. Tracing a finger over the contours of his chest, head resting on his shoulders, she disturbed the peace once more.

"I love you because you've always been the most real person in my life, well other then my cousin. " Lois began trying to find the words to express the depths of his importance to her.

"From the moment I met you Clark.. you were just there and even when I knew there was something different about you but didn't know why, it didn't matter. Because I could see your heart, I think I always knew it would be you that would have mine. When I was younger I never expected to have not only a real home but someone who could put up with me, and you do that.."

She sat up, ignoring the throb that started from it, "When I am with you, I feel not to sound like a total sap,.." she sighed at the emotion welling in her. "I feel complete.. you make me feel like a whole person, you're my light.. you are my home"

Touching the side of her face Clark smiled, it took a moment to find his voice, "Lois .. its okay to be a sap... " he tilted his head a little, "I quite like sappy Lois and you know what.."

Taking a deep breath she swallowed back tears, "What?"

"I'm a sap too because without you..I'm only half a person as well."

Lois laughed and laid her head back on his chest, linking her hand with his, "Well then.. I think we are agreed.. We stay together."

"As if I could get rid of you", Clark kissed the top of her head. Knowing she needed an escape route from her own emotions, especially when she wasn't completely sober.

"Very true.." Her hand snaked down his chest, making its way lower, "I've seen you naked so now your stuck with me."

Her goal was foiled, his fingers intertwined with hers.

"Give it up Lane.."

~ Present ~

The dark oddly shaped vehicle sped out of the city, the driver glancing every so often at the unconscious companion beside him.

He had worried several times that he had been to late but found the occasional moan to be a good sign.
"In all honesty Kent, I had figured you'd be found anywhere else then my city."

He received another of those moans in response before continuing, "I am thinking that this might put me on the good list again with your charming wife, I hope."

A beep sounded from the panel in front of him.

"Master Wayne.. I have the guest room ready. Watch Tower has been notified and a feed has been set up, Chloe and Doctor Hamilton are on their way."

"Thank You Alfred. We will be there shortly."

Bruce scrunched up his nose and glanced again at Clark, "First thing we do.. hose you down. What did you do crawl through the sewer?" He didn't know it but his speculation wasn't far from the truth.

~ღ~

Back in Metropolis it slept, soaking in the energy. It kept quiet, it hadn't moved in days, unable even if it had wanted too. The Soul Splitter had begun to feel the changes, some it had never experienced before, and retreated to the outskirts of the city. The Kryptonian power had affected it more then it had anticipated, even if its connection to his love had weakened.

It felt strong, powerful and hungry.. soon it would come out of the shadows and feed.
Soon Metropolis would fall then the world.

~ღ/ღ~

 Previous Chapter <-  -> Next Chapter