(Two nights after the Great Storm of Metropolis)
“I buy the idea that it would provide a suitable alibi, but if he continues to show his face in public as Superman people are going to notice, and then with the condition of Clark Kent and his own reappearance, it would look suspicious. ” Bruce remarked while cutting into his steak.
Lois didn't miss a beat between swallowing her own food and throwing back, “ Which is why his appearances have been minimal and nothing up close. ”
John Jones stopped sopping up the gravy on his plate, with his roll, to give a pointed stare at the two of them, “I thought it was agreed that dinners at Watchtower were to be free of such talk?” He then glanced at Clark for support.
Bruce sighed, “Fine, you're right..” the policy of 'family' dinners amoung the members was he found awkward but the point of it didn't escape him.
Not being put off by either the look from John or Clark, Lois started to add, “How else are we suppose to work him back in..if..” she stopped at the stares she was getting from around the table. Giving a sheepish smile, she shrugged, “Sorry.. I'll stop.. I'm just exited and happy.. I..” she didn't know how to finish it. But the smiles of understanding she received back told her she didn't need too.
Bart ever able to provide a relief, whether comical or lighthearted in these moments, through out as he reached for another roll, “ So.. when we gonna get that new game system in here? I remember, I dunno about a year ago someone promised we'd have a rematch.” He threw a glance at Victor and then looked at Tess.
“Its not coming out of league funds. The one you have works just fine..” Tess replied with a shake of her head.
“Yes Mom.” She got back. Bart grunted when he got kicked under the table from two people. He glanced around, unsure of who it was that had done it, considering more then one of the women was in his vicinity and not seeming impressed.
Clark rolled his eyes and added, “ The excuse for the reason you always lose at Rock band won't apply if we get a new system will it?”
Chloe snickered, “He has a different excuse for every game he loses.” Oliver chuckled and pushed his plate back full.
Being ganged up on didn't phase him in the slightest, Bart continued stacking more food on his plate, “ So you're telling me with the computer system we've got here you wouldn't want to hook it up the projector and BAM.. World of Warcraft in 3D.”
This of course got more rounds of ridicule and excitement from various people. Games were just one of a few pass times that league members shared and had worked into the less serious group gatherings. Lois smiled, her eyes meeting Clark's. He smiled too, both amused as John gave his opinion on a game and got another playful argument going between Dinah, Oliver, Bart and Chloe.
Bruce ended up the only one to neither be involved or amused. While he may not share in the frivolity, he wasn't bothered by it either. At first, he had insisted he had no need to take part in these sort of gatherings, but between Chloe and Lois he found he had no chance in maintaining his position. Now he had to admit that on some level the banter and exchanges were enjoyable and Lois was right.. it helped make them family which made them stronger.
Of course, when she had said it, she had done so with a playful insult. Insinuating that he was the like the old grandfather figure that sat in the corner griping. Though if he remembered correctly she had worded it as “Old fart”.
He watched them go back and forth, however, it didn't escape him the glances being exchanged between Clark and Lois.
Neither was at their optimum health and he could imagine they were in want of some much needed alone time. The creeper may have fed on them because of their strong bond but Bruce hadn't needed the knowledge of why to see it between them. Even now, as he focused on them, he could in a dozen tiny ways - from the exchange of smiles, slight touching of hands, body language as they leaned on the table.
They exchanged words and even in the tone of their voices it was written, the love and their eyes spoke volumes of desire. Suddenly feeling warm , Bruce looked away feeling as if he was intruding on something very private between them.
Standing and clinking his fork against his glass, Bruce grabbed everyone’s attention. Once all eyes settled on his, he began, “It has been without a doubt a rough few weeks.. especially, it goes without saying, for Clark and Lois. I think.. we should give them a break and ..” Bruce knew what he was about to say would not be expected from him. “give them a chance to run off, our celebration of defeating the Soul Splitter does not need them to be here, to continue. “
There was chuckles around the table, Oliver who rarely agreed with the Bat raised his own glass, “Hear hear.. I'm surprised they didn't try and slink away already.”
Lois blushed, exchanging a look with Clark that confirmed the suspicion, then glared at Oliver and Chloe who grinned ear to ear, ” Please..”
Bruce smiled softly than continued, “ Before we let you go there is one last thing.. its been decided that the two of you will.. get away. Spend at the least three days off the grid.”
Clark and Lois both started to protest but Bruce shook his head, “No..its already been decided unanimously. It doesn't have to be now.. obviously with situations that have yet to be resolved. You will though.. no arguments. ”
Oliver spoke up, looking at the surprised couple, “ I'll have the details of the very private, and I might add enjoyable location, sent to you tomorrow. ”
If it hadn't been for the very touching gift, Lois would have fled from embarrassment, instead she found her hand being squeezed by Clark. Giving a much needed reinforcement against the intense emotions rolling through her.
“Thank you all. I know how much it meant to both Clark and I to have you stand beside us and now with this gift, I don't know what to say other than Thank You.. it really means so much.”
Over the murmur of other voices offering kind words, John now stood his gaze passing over each one at the table as he talked, “ It can be said that things between all of us here have not always gone smoothly, there has been misunderstandings, rivalries, secrets, amoungst other things. Yet we have grown, matured, come together, and this past year, along with recent events has proven one thing though, we are family. When one falls.. we all fall.. so we fight and stand together. If the Soul Splitter was a trial, I would say that we passed, and I for one am happy to call you all my family.”
He stopped to look at Clark and Lois, “I have no doubt you would have done whatever it took to help any of us in your place. We could do no less. Now. Please leave..” He smiled and there were once again chuckles around the table.
Clark took Lois' hand and helped her to stand, it was obvious to all they were both tired, “Thank you! ” He took a deep breath at a loss for words. Realizing from the looks on the faces around him, he didn't need to make a speech, he looked at John, “Oh.. please don't leave me a mess.. Tess hates finding cookie crumbs in the electronics.” He added the last with an sympathetic look to Tess who smiled and made shooing motions at him.
“I shall try Kal'El..”
Once jovial goodbyes and tearful comforting hugs were finished, Clark and Lois paused at the door of Watchtower that lead out into the street. Lois leaned against the frame, taking a deep breath, gaze going from the dark night sky to the man staring with intense love at her.
“We get to go home.. ” It came out in a wistful tone, as if she couldn't believe it.
“We slept at home last night.”
Lois shrugged, “True, but we also collapsed in a heap of exhaustion last night. I'm tired now but I don't think I could sleep.. I don't want to sleep, I want to have normal again, well normal for us. ”
They held each others eyes and Clark rubbed the back of her hand, that he still held, with his thumb gently. “So should I leave and come back in the middle of the night?” He asked with a half smile.
“Haha, Smartypants, I meant a normal uninterrupted night for us. Just you and me..”
“I like the sound of this plan. Ready to go? ”He touched the side of her face softly, brushing strands of wayward curls behind her ear.
“Please.. take us home Mr. Kent.”
Clark bent his head and gently let his lips graze hers in response. The kiss was gentle and chaste but held promise for more. Just as she lingered in that promise, with her eyes, closed he swooped her up into his arms getting a squeak out of her for it.
She never had time to comment before she found them standing just inside their apartment.
The night gown she slipped on was one she knew he liked. It was simple and sleek, forming over her curves, the deep dark blue colour always made his eyes stand out more to her. She could drown in those eyes.
“I thought you'd have put on a flannel. ” His deep voice spoke softly as she came out of the room.
Lois leaned against the door frame, shrugging. “I thought you might like something more feminine..less farmer john.”
“I like you in plaid.. you know this.” He made his way over from the sofa, placing their drinks on the counter as he did.
“Do I?” she grinned, “ Its been so long I don't remember.”
Clark was no fool. He knew a challenge when he heard one, one he'd happily take up. Of course, she wasn't in one of his flannel shirts now so it would have to be addressed later.
“I see..”
“Do you?” She asked, failing to contain a giggle.
Stopping just before her, Clark looked down into her eyes, a hand brushing along her silky shoulder.
“I do.. question is, does Miss Lane understand that she should be careful what she asks for?”
Tilting her head to the side, Lois bit her lip, “I think its you Mister Kent that has some serious making up to do. I do believe you owe me.”
It was his turn to grin, before capturing her lips in a kiss. Pulling her close, he breathed in her scent whispering into her ear , letting the side of his face linger against hers. “Are you up for this Lois..it can wait another night.. Emil said you should get a lot of rest.”
With a deep sigh, Lois stepped back out of the hug, taking his hands with hers she lead him into the bedroom.
“Clark.. this with you is the best rest a girl could ask for. To feel you.. please.” Her eyes shone with the intensity of her desire for him.
At her words, Clark smiled gently, running his fingers from her shoulder, up her neck to cup her face. Lois closed her eyes, she could never grow tired of his touch, how he made her feel.
His hand moved behind her head, fingers tangling themselves in her hair. Then his lips met hers, the kiss was gentle, slow, and full of need. His other hand went to the back of her night gown as hers went to the buckle of his pants.
Slowly, they began to undress each other, placing kisses on lips and necks. There was nothing that could replace knowing intimately the others body, how to touch and where.. giving each other undivided attention.
Clark could see the hunger in her eyes, when she looked up from stepping out of her dress. There was a passion in the way she pulled his pants down, watched him step out of his clothes, ran her hands along his body. He knew she wanted to make it last as he did... to savour the each moment. His gaze left her face to run down her naked body, taking in every beautiful inch of her.
She blushed, which only made the desire for her more intense. Trying to keep to the unspoken promise of taking their time he ran a hand over her stomach the other along her side to her breasts.
Lois gasped, as his mouth went to her breast, placing her hands on his back, digging in, smiling at the moan she received. Remembering the first time she discovered that the harder she dug her fingers and nails into his back the more he liked it.
It was much like the first time, the pace, how they took the time to undress each other, placing reverent kisses upon newly exposed skin. Drinking each other in as if they had never laid eyes on the other, love threatening to over flow with each touch.
Touches and gentle kisses satisfied, they become locked in an embrace, the pace still slow but the passion had only begun to ignite. Moving back they fell back on to the bed, drowning in each other. A hunger to never be separated reflected in their eyes, the way lips lingered, reluctant to pull apart.
Lois was lost in the memory of the night they first made love, the last barriers between them had fallen. The secrets had been chased away by the light of a love between them that could only hold truth.. honest raw emotion had filled the night over and over, expressed through physical touch, a release from the years of sexual tension and spiritual link between them. No more shadows to haunt them only love.
With each caress now, drawn out touch, kiss, lingering sensation the connection that had been damaged began to heal. Tangled in the sheets was more then just two bodies but two hearts reaffirming the bond that had fed a dark soul, now they were free to become one again. Achieving what the literalist, those of logic would consider an impossibility, their bodies taking up the same space, no beginning and no end.
As they reached the edge of ecstasy to fall off it together, their bodies lifted above the sheet, neither completely aware of it, only of the other. Beyond the physical enjoyments of the precious and passionate moment ,Clark felt something he had never thought he'd feel again. It flowed like a rhythm through him, quieting his soul, spreading a feeling of relief and peace, the knowledge that with her he was home. Her heart beat was once more his to cherish and hold with his own and when he looked into her eyes he knew she felt it too. He was more then just in and around, he was part of her, her best friend and lover, the other half of her soul.
Claws slashed out, blood poured. Terror..a terrible fear, heartache.
Then it went black.
She could hear the breathing.. it..no they were after them. She tried to run but her legs felt so heavy.
“Lois..you can do it..keep going.” She heard his voice encouragingly order behind her. She pushed everything she had in her, fighting back the unwanted tears that threatened to overwhelm.
A scream echoed around them, seeming to come from all directions. She turned to meet his gaze.. neither said anything. They didn't need to, she knew what he wanted.. what she couldn't give him. To leave him to the non existent mercy of those things.
Black and another flash of a frenzied attack of blood pouring, screams and anguish.
There was a sudden whirlwind of light and sound and she knew.. not again! She had dreamnt this before.. She both anticipated and dreaded what was beyond the light and much like the first time she screamed at the sight of what it parted to reveal.
Clark arched his body, held suspended in the air, while every last bit of who he was..the core of him, his soul, swirled out. Ripped from his body to flow in a darkness that hovered all around.
Screaming she ran..ran as she had done before. Pulling at him. “NO!”
He fell..fell into her arms, bruised, torn, bloody.. lifeless.
She cried, cradling him to her, then looked up to scream at the darkness, “BRING HIM BACK!!.. BRING HIM BACK!”
Without him, there was nothing.
Clark frowned, being brought of a restful sleep, the beat that was hers was all wrong. It unsettled him.
“Lois?”
When she didn't respond he opened an eye as he pulled her closer, looking down at her sleeping form to see a terror written across her features. Her body was soaked with sweat, he could feel it every where her bare skin touched his as well as in the dampness of the sheets.
“Lois.. its okay..its over!” he spoke softly into her ear. Somehow, he wasn't surprised that she would have a nightmare. They had been through so much, one night together to reaffirm love, reconnect emotionally, physically, spiritually could not undo the horror they had lived through. He pulled her even closer, needing to feel the physical connection just as much as she did.
“Lois, I am here.. sshhhh babe..” He nuzzled his face into her hair, kissed the back of her neck. Continuing to whisper to her, starting to worry as he felt tremors pass through the length of her body along with tiny whimpers that escaped trembling lips.
After a moment of shaking, that turned into her clinging onto his arm that wrapped around her, she sobbed out. Repeating several times to bring him back. Who back?
This had to stop. “Lois!” He said this time a little more forcefully, turning so she was on her back and he was leaning over her. “Lois.. Wake up.. sweetheart please..” Brushing her hair back, cupping the side of her face.
Lois' eyes snapped open and as if she had started to fall she threw her arms around him for dear life. “OH Clark.. .. ” She breathed his name like a prayer causing his chest to ache from the sound of it.
Continuing to cup her face, gently caressing the side of it with his thumb, his eyes looked her over as if he could find a physical reason for her distress , whispering with a calm reassurance, “It was just a dream.. You're safe I promise, Lois, you're safe. ”
Truth was he was frightened by the intensity of her nightmare and her next words alarmed him all the more.
“Clark.. its not me..It was you.. oh gawd!” She brought arms up to hold his face in her hands, her eyes searching his own. “Smallville.. I lost you..I thought I lost you.. ”
Closing his eyes for a second, he leaned his face against her hands, “Lois.. I'm not going anywhere.. We are safe.”
She shook her head still unable to get away from the overwhelming grief she had felt from the dream. A part of her expecting him to vanish as if it was this very moment in bed with him that wasn't reality and the nightmare was real.
“No Clark.. No! You were dead Clark.. I held you in my arms and you were gone.” She tried to fight the sob but failed, throwing her arms once again around him, holding on for all that she was worth. She couldn't lose him, she simply couldn't.
“Shhh.. Lois!” He rolled them on to their sides ,wrapping his arms around her. Wondering if the dream he had had and her own meant something.
They held on to each other this way, tears and words of comfort exchanged, till minutes turned to an hour and sleep finally claimed her once again.
Clark continued to run his fingers through her hair, listening to her breathing, feeling the beat of her heart. One day he'd have to tell her about his dream, but not now..not till he knew she was strong enough or he was. Maybe if he was lucky it truly meant nothing.
“Clark Kent doesn't believe in luck.” He heard her voice say, a reminder of the past. No, he didn't.. but just once he was happy to change his perception if it meant there would be no nightmare.
He pulled her closer, till she was nestled against him, his face buried in her hair, their legs wrapped around each other. Clark knew he had to push it all aside, he could do nothing about it now.
Tomorrow and dreams could wait.
He was wrapped in eternity,the beat of love, a place that soothed and was all his own.
Her.
His Lois.
Feed back is cookies..feed me! If its crap its okay to say that too..
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