The Ring
Clark needs a ring to pose as Lois’s husband.
Thanks to JadedEvie for the beta.
****
Clark stared at the selection of rings he was being shown.
“Try a couple on,” the clerk offered. “That’ll narrow your choices down.”
He wanted to snort at the requisition clerk’s suggestion. There were only a handful of rings to begin with, and out of those some of them far too outlandish for consideration, and most looked too small. Clark picked up the largest plain gold band and tried to fit it onto his ring finger. It was a relief when it wouldn’t easily slide past the second knuckle.
“Talk to the Chief,” the clerk suggested. “You can go and buy one, then expense it later.”
“Lois?”
“She has one of her own. Some of the undercover reporters have a ring of their own to carry around so they don’t have to waste time signing one out. You expense one, it comes back here,” the clerk finished, removing the selection of rings and placing them back into their dusty box.
Frustrated, Clark returned to the newsroom. Buying a wedding ring was not something he’d planned on doing until he needed one. He’d certainly never envisioned getting a fake one!
****
“You can take that off now,” Lois remarked, pointing at the ring on Clark’s finger.
He laughed nervously and took it off, placing it in his pants pocket.
“Do you need to return it?”
“No,” he said. “Requisitions didn’t have one my size so I bought one.”
“Smart,” Lois assured him approvingly. “It comes in handy if you need an excuse.”
“Oh?”
“You have no idea how easy it is to deflect some unwanted attention when you’ve got a wedding band on. Some, but not all. Some people treat it like a challenge.” Even though she said it lightly, Clark could see her annoyance.
“We’ve both got one now, so if you ever need backup…” he grinned.
“So it does come off!” Cat remarked snarkily as she breezed by. “I was beginning to think you were married to it.”
“Ignore her,” Lois hissed at Clark. “She’s just jealous.”
Clark couldn’t cover up his grin. This undercover assignment had been surreal. While the story had been good, the company had been amazing. Despite Lois’ prickly exterior, he knew she was becoming more and more comfortable with him. Their assignment, which had necessitated them both being together constantly and in the same suite for several days, hadn’t shown him anything new about her, but had only deepened his understanding and desire. She was witty, extremely competitive, and the more time he spent with her, the more he knew she was the-
“CK!”
Clark’s pleasant train of thought was interrupted as Jimmy bounded enthusiastically towards them.
“You finally took your ring off! You were wearing that thing everywhere!”
Clark squirmed at Jimmy’s comment. He had worn it everywhere as it was part of the undercover persona. Lois had worn her ring, too, though no one was pointing that out.
“He even slept with it on!” Lois mocked.
“You didn’t?” Jimmy asked Clark incredulously, missing the glint of teasing in Lois’ eyes.
Clark didn’t answer. He
had slept with it on. Had Lois just said that in jest, or had she seen him?
“Do you leave your glasses on too?” Jimmy teased.
“No,” Clark answered, his mind running in many different directions. He had taken his glasses off when he slept, but had left the ring on. Had Lois seen him sleeping, but he hadn’t heard her?
“Lois! Clark!” Perry’s booming voice interrupted the conversation. “Good to have you two back in the newsroom.”
As Perry talked, Clark listened, allowing the conversation to distract him from anxious thoughts.
****
“Goodnight, Clark.”
“Goodnight, Lois,” he said with a chuckle. He held the phone for one longing moment before setting the receiver back on the cradle.
The late call had been a surprise, and he’d been delighted to hear Lois’ voice on the other end when he’d answered. It hadn’t been work related, but just a call to say goodnight, and it had cheered him up immensely.
As he reached over to turn off the bedside light, a gold glint caught his eye. He picked up the ring and caressed it. He knew that he wasn’t ready to marry anyone, even Lois, since there was a challenging discussion that would have to take place long before he asked anyone to share his crazy life. But for several precious moments over the last few magical days, he’d been able to pretend. Opening the drawer in the nightstand, Clark gently placed the ring inside before closing it and turning off the light. As he settled in for sleep, he hoped he’d never have to wear another fake ring again.
Next time he wore one, he wanted it to be a real one.
****
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