I never thought to question exactly why Lois was gone during that period.
Clark had been so busy deasling with the Kandorians that Lois not being involved seemed natural.
Your pick-up on this and developing a storyline to account for it was very nice, however, if you recall it was when he kissed her as the Blur and she realized that she recognized the kiss as being the same as Clark's that she tumbled to his identity.
