Previously...




Clark watched her hurriedly pull her jacket on and rush off through the bullpen. He couldn't help the smile that started to curl his lips. Lois had just invited him to her apartment. He had no illusions about her intentions. Knowing Lois, it really would just be about eating dinner together. But still, it made his heart glad. If she was inviting him into her home, it meant that she was beginning to accept him as more than a work partner. It meant that they were paving the way toward a friendship.

That didn't take as long as I'd feared, he thought to himself, feeling a sense of happiness seep through his entire body.

"Kent? You leaving?" Perry asked as Clark passed him in the break area while on his way to the elevators.

"Yeah. I, uh, I'm having dinner with a friend," Clark said, slowing his pace and stopping for a moment.

"Lois?" Perry guessed.

"Actually, yes. How did you...?"

"I've seen the way you two interact," the editor said, cutting him off with a knowing wink. "A word of advice, son. Lois is a bit like...well...a bucking bronco."

"I'm not sure that I follow you, Chief," Clark said, rubbing the back of his neck and scratching his ear. "A bucking bronco?"

"Wild. Dangerous. Thrilling to be sure. But chances are, you're going to get thrown from the saddle and trampled over."

"I don't know about that, Perry," Clark replied, unconvinced.

"Trust me, Clark. You go after her, you're liable to get your heart torn right out of your chest and stomped on. I've seen it happen before. She doesn't mean to do it, but she sure can be a heartbreaker."

"Things are a little different with me," Clark said, feeling confident. "I'm not your average guy."

Perry chuckled and shook his head. "Then I wish you luck. You'll need it."

"We're only friends," Clark tried to assure his boss.

"Oh, I know that. But, like I said, I've seen the way you look at her. You've already got it bad for her, don't you?"

"I'm not sure I want to answer that, especially when I'm only an intern," Clark replied cagily.

Perry nearly roared a laugh. "Fair enough. Say no more. Good luck tonight."

Clark grinned as Perry patted his shoulder. "Night, Chief. See you tomorrow."




***




An hour later, exactly, Clark knocked on Lois' door, now dressed in a freshly pressed pair of jeans and soft brown sweater. In one arm, he carried a small brown paper bag - just a modest bottle of red wine nestled in the crook of his elbow. He heard movement within the apartment, then the sound of five locks being opened.

"Just a second," Lois' voice called from within as she worked.

A moment later, the door opened. Clark smiled at her.

"Hi, Lois."

"Hi, Clark. Wow, right on time. Come on in. Don't mind the place. I haven't had much time to clean lately, what with the way work has been and everything."

"What?" Clark asked, looking around. "Your place looks fantastic."

It was the truth. Everything looked spotless as he swept his gaze around the room. Not even a single rogue sweater lay on a chair or on the back of the couch. The only thing Clark could see that Lois might have been referring to was several stacks of folders and papers on her coffee table, alongside her closed laptop. He didn't doubt that it was research for one or more of her solo stories.

"Thanks," Lois said.

"Here, this is for you." He handed her the bottle of wine. "I wasn't sure what we are having for dinner, but I figured red goes with a lot. Although, now that I think about it, I'm not even sure if bringing wine was even appropriate, given the circumstances."

"It's fine," she assured him in a soft tone. "Thank you."

"So...what are we having?" Clark asked.

"Italian. I remembered that you liked that place we ordered from last week, Spoto's." She moved off into the kitchen as Clark closed the door to the apartment. He followed her as she continued to talk. "You raved about the shrimp scampi, so..." Her voice trailed off as she gestured to the small table in her kitchen, where their dinner sat, awaiting them.

"Looks great," he said.

"Anyway," Lois continued as she popped the cork on the bottle of wine Clark had bought, "I thought it was best if I got food out somewhere." She poured two glasses of the heady wine and sat as Clark took his own seat. "I'm not much of a cook. I would have hated to have killed you with my cooking the very same night that you risked your life to save mine."

"Lois, we've been over this," Clark said, accepting the wine glass she held out to him. He took a sip, savored it, then continued. "It was no big deal."

"That's where you're wrong," Lois said in a quiet voice. "Clark...what you did today...no one has ever done that for me before. Risked their life for me. Saved my life. Until today, it's always just been me on my own, caring for me, looking out for myself. But you...you took a real chance, doing what you did. You could have been seriously hurt or even killed." Her voice took on a reverent, almost awed quality.

"Lois, I was never really...I mean," he said, catching himself before he could slip up. "I didn't really think about it. I just saw you in the truck's pathway and acted. I couldn't let you get hurt, even if it meant that I would be the one to take the hit."

"See? That's exactly what I mean," Lois said, her voice still low and grateful sounding. "It was probably the most selfless thing I've ever witnessed. And then, to top it all off, you handed me your story notes on a silver platter, asking for nothing in return. Like I said, I've never had that happen before. I just wanted to say thank you."

"You're welcome," Clark replied, smiling. "How about a toast? To life and new friendships," he said, clinking his glass against the side of hers.

"To new friends," Lois agreed.

"In any event, the food is fantastic," Clark said after taking a few forkfuls of the shrimp scampi. "Thanks for picking it up."

"Any time."

The phone began to ring. Lois excused herself, then stood and crossed the kitchen to the closest headset, which was mounted to the wall.

"Hello? Oh, hi, Dan. You what? Bermuda? I see. For how long? Uh-huh. No, no, I'm not disappointed. No, I totally understand. You need to do what you need to do. No, that's okay. No, don't call me, I'll call you. Uh-huh, right. Bye."

She hung up with a sigh, then went back to her seat to pick at what remained of her lasagna.

"Everything okay?" Clark asked, concerned.

"Yeah," she answered distractedly.

"Boyfriend?" Clark asked.

Lois shook her head. "Not quite. We went out a few times but never really became a couple. But he was supposed to accompany me to the White Orchid Ball next Friday night."

"White Orchid?"

Lois nodded. "Every year Lex Luthor hosts his White Orchid Ball. It's sort of a huge charity event. Anyone who's anyone attends. It's a great place to rub elbows with the rich and famous. It's actually how I've nailed down some of my interviews."

"Lex Luthor? Isn't he the third richest man on the planet?"

"One and the same," Lois confirmed.

"And you have tickets to this ball?" Clark asked. "How?"

"Simple. I'm with the press."

Clark thought about it. "Well, yeah, of course that makes sense," he said, more for his own benefit than Lois'. "What's the point of throwing a party if you can't show the rest of the world what you're up to?"

"Anyway, Dan was going to go with me but now his job's got him on assignment in Bermuda for the next month, if not longer. Some DEA thing that he's not allowed to discuss."

"Yikes. Sorry."

"It's not a big deal. I just hate going to these things alone, as much as I wind up working during them." She took another bite of her meal before speaking again. "You wouldn't happen to have a tuxedo, would you?"

"I could rent one," he answered, just as casually as she had asked the question.

"Would you want to go with me?"

"Like a date?" he teased.

"Like a partner and colleague," she replied, though Clark couldn't miss the small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"I'd love to go with you," he said sincerely.

Again, that soft, almost shy smile crossed Lois' features. Clark loved those moments - when the otherwise hard-bitten newswoman faded away and left the real, human woman exposed. And Clark was absolutely enamored with the real Lois Lane - the one who loved cream sodas and who fearlessly ate hotdogs from even the shadier street vendors, the one who tucked her hair behind her ears like a shy schoolgirl when she was not quite at ease, the one who could be roused to anger so easily by the injustices she saw around her.

"Thanks, Clark."

"Actually, thank you for even asking me. But, well...I'd like it if it was more along the lines of a date," he admitted. His cheeks immediately flushed as he realized what he was saying.

Lois shook her head. "Don't fall for me, Farmboy. I don't have the time. Or the desire to have yet another wrecked relationship under my belt."

"It may already be too late," Clark said, casting his eyes downward to study what was left of his shrimp scampi. "And no one says it will be a disaster."

"Clark, look. You're a nice enough guy and all but...I'm just not sure I want to get involved. Especially with a coworker."

"I know, you have a...history, with dating coworkers," Clark said, swirling some of the remaining angel hair pasta around on his plate. "But, if you gave me a chance, you'd find out that I'm not like the guys you've gone out with so far."

She seemed to think that over. "That's for sure. You proved that today."

"Give me a chance?" It almost sounded like a plea to him. "I mean, you do owe it to me," he joked.

Lois laughed deeply, her eyes sparkling with her amusement. "Pretty bold, for an unpaid intern."

Clark chuckled in return. "Only for a few more weeks. Then I'll be a full employee."

"I hope so," Lois confessed in a softer tone.

"Really?" It took him by surprise.

"Really," she said, nodding. "You're a good reporter, Clark. I wouldn't have guessed it when you first came into the Planet, but I've met shockingly few reporters with your skills and dedication. And I know I didn't act like it when you first started. I'm sorry."

"Well, thank you, Lois. That really does mean a lot to me."

"But, we'll never get your position secured if we don't nail down the person responsible for those murders."

"We'll get them," he assured her.

"You sound pretty confident."

"I am."

"How come?"

"Because," he said nonchalantly, with a slight shrug, "we're Lane and Kent."



***



"Just a minute!" Clark called out as someone knocked on the door.

He finished washing his hands and dried them on a dishtowel. As he trotted through the living room on his way to the door, he grabbed his t-shirt and pulled it on. Just before he reached the door, he stuck his glasses back on his face. Opening the door, he was surprised to see Lois standing on his doorstep, a bag of what smelled like tacos in her hand.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi. Come on in."

Lois nodded and entered his new apartment, then stopped dead in her tracks as she looked around. Her mouth opened into a small O. She looked to Clark, confused.

"How...?"

"How, what?"

"This place," she clarified. "I saw it not five days ago and it looked like a nuclear waste dump. And now...well, look at it."

Clark blushed a bit. He hadn't expected company so soon. If he had, he wouldn't have cleaned the place at super speed. Starting with his bathroom, he'd given the entire place a deep cleaning over the last few nights, making sure to dedicate enough time, even with his speed, to make the place sparkle and shine, and to get rid of the odd odors that had lingered behind when the previous tenants had vacated the place. Now he only hoped Lois wouldn't get too suspicious, especially since he'd even given the walls a fresh coat of paint to hide the places where the old coat had been cracked and peeling.

"You must have had a lot of help," Lois observed.

"Some," Clark said in a non-committal tone. The way he saw it, his super speed had been his help. "Sorry that I don't have much furniture yet." He felt bizarrely ashamed of his paper plates, plastic spoons, and lack of furniture. In fact, the only thing he'd been able to buy yet had been a new and plush couch, which, for the moment, also doubled as his bed. "Once I start making a paycheck, I'll be able to completely furnish the place," he explained.

"Well, whatever help you had, it looks great. I barely recognize the place. And I no longer feel like I need a tetanus shot by stepping foot in here."

Clark chuckled. "Thanks. I'm glad it passes your inspection." He took the bag of food from her, brought it to his kitchen, and set it out on the paper plates he had stashed in one of the cupboards. "So, what brings you by?"

She shrugged as he passed her a plate. "I was in the neighborhood and figured I'd see how things were going with your place. Besides, Taco Loco is one of my favorite taco places and I thought you might be hungry."

"I was. Thanks." He bit into one of the tacos she'd gotten for him. "Next time though, let me get the tacos. I promise that they will blow your mind."

"You're on, Farmboy," she said with a grin.



***



Clark nervously knocked on Lois' apartment door. When she didn't answer right away, he rocked on the balls of his feet, blowing out a controlled, cleansing breath. Lois didn't intimidate him in the least. But, he would be escorting her to the White Orchid Ball that night. And while he wanted to view the event as a date, Lois didn't. It literally made his heart ache with desire.

After a few moments, he knocked again. This time, he heard shuffling behind the door.

"Just a minute!"

Locks unlatched. The doorknob turned. And then, suddenly, the door swung open to reveal Lois standing there in a tastefully low cut red gown, a modest slit up one thigh. She held matching pumps in one hand. A single teardrop shaped ruby hung about her throat, surrounded by white diamonds that glinted like stars. But even those could not compare to the sparkle in her eyes as she caught sight of him.

"Lois," Clark finally choked out, completely floored by how gorgeous she looked. "You look...wow! Fantastic," he managed. He shook his head. "I mean, you always look nice but...would you be offended if I called you stunning?"

"I certainly would not," she said, stifling a giggle. "And you look very handsome in your tux," she offered in return. She patted his lapel, brushing a small piece of fuzz from it, making Clark's heart miss a beat.

"Here," Clark said when he found his voice again. It was a struggle for him not to listen to her heartbeat, to see if he was affecting her the way she was him. He held out a small plastic box. "I picked this up for you."

"What is it?" Lois asked, moving a step closer to peek into the box.

Clark opened the lid and pulled out the single flower within. "I thought it was only appropriate that you should wear a white orchid to the White Orchid Ball."

"Clark, it's beautiful," Lois said in admiration of the white flower. It had just the faintest splashes of purple in the very center. "Would you pin it on me?"

"Absolutely," he said.

Expertly, he pulled the straight pin from the base of the stem and closed the distance between himself and Lois. With her so close, he thought that surely his hands would tremble. But somehow, they remained steady as he held the flower above her left breast and fastened it to her dress with the pin.

"There," he announced. "Perfect."

"You're something else, Clark," Lois said after a moment as she stooped to put her shoes on.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked playfully, leaning his hip against the couch.

Lois smirked at him. "It means...you constantly surprise me. I guess I'm still not used to having a friend like you."

"What kind of friend is that?" He needed to know how she viewed him.

"A best friend," she said in a solemn voice so low that he almost missed it.

He smiled warmly. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm not used to having a best friend quite like you either. I feel like...I don't know. Like I've gotten closer with you in a month or so than I've been with the people I've known all my life."

"We make a good team, don't we?" Lois asked, standing back up to her full height.

"The best," Clark agreed.



***

Less than an hour later, Clark found himself in the penthouse suite at Lex Tower, surrounded by a sea of wealthy and famous people, as well as key members of the media. He stuck with Lois, taking her lead as she greeted those she had met before, allowing her to make the introductions. Jimmy and Perry were there as well, which put Clark more at ease. It was comforting to see some familiar faces there. For a time, Clark stood speaking with Jimmy as the two men sipped exquisite and rare wines. It seemed that Lex Luthor spared no expense when he threw parties.

"There's Lex Luthor now," Lois whispered into Clark's ear after a while. The faint breeze created by her words sent a jolt of electricity through his body. "He doesn't give interviews with press."

"Let me guess," Clark said, not taking his eyes off the man, as the billionaire greeted the mayor and his wife. "You intend on changing that."

"Not only changing it, but being the first one he gives an interview to," Lois confirmed. "Come on. Let's go over."

Clark set down his wine glass and followed Lois across the marble, mosaic floor.

"Lex Luthor," Lois called out when she was no more than five feet away from the party's host. "You haven't returned my calls."

"And you are?"

"Lois Lane. Daily Planet," she said. "This is Clark Kent. My writing partner."

"Ah, yes. It's good to meet you, Miss Lane, Mr. Kent." The billionaire extended a hand. "I apologize for not returning your calls sooner, Miss Lane."

Clark shook the man's hand. Luthor had a strong, firm grip. But something in his eyes betrayed the friendly smile on his face. It was there and gone in less than a second, but Clark had seen it nonetheless. It made the short hairs at the base of his neck stand on end.

"I'd like to interview you," Lois said, getting right to the point. Clark had to hide his smile at her directness.

"Well, Miss Lane, as I am sure you are aware, I don't give interviews," Luthor replied with cool nonchalance.

"I know. I'd like to change that."

To Clark's surprise, the billionaire laughed. "I admire your dedication, Miss Lane."

"Lois, please."

"Lois. And you may call me Lex."

"Lex."

Clark had to stop himself from rolling his eyes.

"So, Lex, is your wife here this evening?" Lois inquired.

Luthor shook his head. "Sadly, no. Some family business called her away. A sick uncle."

"Sorry to hear that," Clark put in, almost before he realized he was speaking.

"Yes," Luthor said, nearly dismissing him. "I nearly rescheduled this soirée, but Laura would not hear of it."

"She sounds like an amazing woman," Lois said, though Clark could detect a little disappointment hidden in her voice. It was clear to him that she'd planned on speaking to the wife if Luthor didn't come around to her way of thinking.

"She is," Luthor agreed.

"But back to the topic at hand," Lois said, smiling sweetly. "There must be some part of you that would like the world to know the man behind the mystery."

"Is that what I am? A mystery?" Luthor asked, returning an amused look.

"Well, there is relatively little that's known about you," Clark answered for Lois. He caught the side scowl that she shot him.

"And for a reason," Luthor replied. "I rather enjoy my privacy."

"No doubt," Clark said, putting his hands into his pockets as he spoke. "But you must be aware that there are certain rumors out there about you and how you've accumulated such wealth. An interview, especially with a paper was well-respected as the Planet, could lay many of those rumors to rest. After all, Lois is the best there is."

The last part, at least, changed Lois' annoyed look into one of gratitude. But Luthor looked less than convinced.

"If I change my mind, you'll be the first one I contact," he said amiably, yet firmly enough to let it be known that the topic of conversation was now closed. "If you'll excuse me, there is someone I must speak with." With that, he shook their hands again, then melted away into the crowd.

"Well," Lois said, more to herself than Clark, "that could have gone better."

"At least you got to talk to him, maybe even make him second guess his no interview policy."

"I'll believe it when I see it," she grumbled.

"Come on," Clark said, lightly laying a hand on her shoulder. "Let's just enjoy the rest of the night, okay?"

Lois huffed but eventually relented. "Maybe you're right."

"Would you care to dance?" Clark asked as the music changed from some upbeat tune he didn't know to the softer, slower tones of "The Way You Look Tonight."

She looked uncertain, but was, perhaps, reassured by the other couples who began to migrate toward the center of the room and dance together. "I'd like that."

Clark led her to the cluster of couples in the middle of the room, then held her close. His heart began to hammer in his chest at the close contact. He'd hoped, but never truly believed, he would have the chance to hold Lois in such an intimate position. She felt so good there, in his arms. So right. So natural, like it had always been meant to be.

Soul mate, his mind whispered at him.

He wondered if Lois felt the connection as well, for after a moment, she laid her head against his chest and sighed contentedly. He tightened his arms around her ever so gently as they swayed to the music. Softly, he sighed in happiness as well.

"Clark?"

"Hmm?"

"This is really nice," she said after a minute.

"It is," he affirmed.

"Where'd you learn to dance like this?"

"From a Nigerian Princess," he said, shrugging it off like it was no big deal.

"Really?"

"Really."

"You must have some incredible stories from traveling," she said after a pause.

"I guess. The truth is, I feel like my greatest adventure so far has been living in Metropolis and working with you."

"Clark..."

"I know," he said, gently cutting her off. "You're interested in friendship only. I get it. But it doesn't make what I said any less true."

"You're a sweet guy, Clark."

"Thanks."

"And I think...is it too late to change my mind?"

"About what?"

"About tonight," Lois clarified. "About your offer."

Clark was thunderstruck. Was Lois asking him what he thought he was asking? He cleared his suddenly too-dry throat before speaking.

"To make this...a date?" he asked, very carefully, half afraid he'd misunderstood her.

Against him, Lois nodded her head. "I just feel like...tonight has been so perfect so far. It hasn't felt like a work obligation, the way it always does. Having you here...it's felt like a date ever since you knocked on my door a few hours ago. I know, I'm crazy."

"No, Lois, you're not crazy. Believe me, nothing would make me happier than to consider tonight our first date."

"First date? Feeling confident, are you?" she teased him.

"Confident enough to do this," he said, bending his neck and capturing Lois' lips in a kiss before she could make a retort.

Stars exploded before Clark's eyes as his lips met hers. His already racing heart felt as though it might burst right through his chest. For the first time in his life, the world around him - all the lights, colors, smells, sounds, and distractions - simply ceased to be. He was encased in an invisible bubble with Lois, where the real world couldn't touch them, couldn't distract them, couldn't pull them apart. It was as if all of his senses were seared away in that moment, leaving only his ability to feel the softness of Lois' lips and the way that she squeezed his body, ever so slightly, as she responded to his kiss.

When they broke, the world seemed to come crashing back around Clark, the magical spell of their moment broken as the contact between their lips was severed. It had only lasted a second, and hadn't been a deep kiss, but Clark felt his life had been profoundly altered in that moment.

"Wow," Lois breathed, even as Clark brought his head away from hers.

"You said it," he agreed, well aware of the dreamy tone his voice had taken.



***



A little while later, as they party was in full swing, Lois and Clark found themselves separated. Perry found Clark and pulled him off to one side, near the open bar but well out of the way of other people.

"I saw what happened before," the editor said gruffly.

"What?" Clark asked.

"Don't play dumb with me. I saw you and Lois share a kiss."

"Oh. That." He blushed.

"Yes, that. Clark, son, I don't mind telling you that I don't have a hard-and-fast rule about coworkers dating. It's happened before in my newsroom. But Lois...Lois is very special to me. Almost like a daughter, you might say. And, well, that makes me very protective of her."

"I see," Clark said, shyly stuffing his hands into his pockets and rocking back onto his heels. "But, I'm not messing around, Chief. I'm not trying to hurt her. I care about her, deeply, even though we've only known each other a short time."

"Good. See to it that it stays that way, with you not doing anything to hurt her."

"You have my word," Clark vowed. Then, scanning the crowd, "Say, Chief? Have you actually seen Lois in the last twenty minutes?"

Perry stopped for a moment, scratching his chin as he thought. "Come to think of it, no. Have you, Jimmy?"

Jimmy broke off his conversation with an attractive enough redhead to answer. "Sorry, Chief, no. But I've been a little preoccupied. Oh, and CK? Congrats, man. I saw those smooth moves of yours."

"Uh, thanks," Clark said, decidedly uncomfortable with his and Lois' kiss being the topic of discussion. "I'd better go look for her. Excuse me."

He found her snooping around in what appeared to be Lex Luthor's private office. Clark hurriedly shut the door behind him as he entered.

"Lois!" he whispered, so as not to be heard by anyone but her.

She still jumped a little at his voice. Her back had been toward the door, so she hadn't seen him enter.

"Clark! You startled me."

"I'm sorry. But what are you doing in here?"

"Looking for something."

"Apparently," he shot back, unable to suppress the small vein of sarcasm in his comment. "What, exactly, are you looking for?"

"I don't know," she said, blushing a little.

Clark rolled his eyes. "Lo-is!"

"I need to find something - anything - that can give me a leg up in nailing down an interview," she whispered back. "Help me."

"Lois, getting caught rifling through the man's personal items is guaranteed to not land you an interview."

"If you help, we can get done faster and get out of here, which gives us less of a chance to be caught," she shot back as she opened one of the drawers to his desk.

She pulled out a stack of file folders and fanned them out on the wide mahogany desk. Clark glanced at them but saw nothing of note. Plans for the new LexMart down by the docks. Contracts for LNN workers. A bill of sale for his newest yacht. Something called Project Blue. Plans for a new cruise line, set to start sailing three years in the future.

"There's nothing here," Clark whispered as he gave in and helped Lois dig through Luthor's private files.

"I guess you're right," she admitted after a few more moments of searching. She put everything back neatly. "I'm sorry, Clark."

He shook his head. "Don't be. I love how you dive right in to things...even if maybe you shouldn't." He offered her a crooked smile. "You want to go back and join the rest of the party?"

"I suppose," Lois said, sounding less than enthusiastic.

"What? What's the matter?" he asked, putting an arm protectively across her shoulders.

"It's just so..." she gestured as she spoke, "nice and quiet here."

"Yes, it is." Luthor's voice was coldly neutral sounding. "And also very private."

"I...uh...sorry, Lex," Lois said, having the sense to at least sound abashed, even if she might not be feeling it. "Clark and I just needed a minute alone, out of the party, to catch our breath. You throw such elaborate soirees, Lex. We didn't realize this was your office."

"Thank you. But now, I really must insist that we move back to the affair at hand." He eyed them coolly.

Silently, Lois and Clark exited the study. Lex trailed behind them. Clark heard, rather than saw, him lock the door to the study behind him, clearly trying to prevent a second intrusion of his privacy.

"Sorry, Lois," Clark said as they attempted to melt back into the crowd by joining in on another slow dance. "I wish I could have helped you get whatever you needed."

"It's fine," she said. "All it means is that I'll have to work even harder, and, when I do get that interview, it will be all the better, and the victory all the sweeter. For now, though? Another dance?"

Clark didn't respond other than to hug her even closer to his chest and start to sway. He was in heaven. In roughly a month, he'd attained some of the biggest, most important goals of his life - a permanent home, a job - unpaid as it was for the time being - at the Daily Planet, and Lois Lane, the only woman in his entire life that he had ever loved. Happy could not adequately express how he felt.

For a second, his feet lifted right off the floor and he had to remind himself to stay rooted to the marble beneath the soles of his feet.

Careful, Clark, he warned himself. No one can know. Not even Lois. Not yet.



To Be Continued...