The dream started innocently enough, as it usually did. Lois would be in her kitchen, though she'd never quite been able to figure out what she was doing there. Then she'd hear a sound, and turn, and *he* would be there, standing at the edge of the room. He'd smile slightly, and open his arms to her... and she would practically fly across the room to join him. After that, it was mostly a series of images... flashes of feeling. The way it felt when he kissed her neck. The smooth interplay of his muscles beneath her hands. The look in his eyes that made her feel so very precious. The way he whispered her name. The view of her bedroom ceiling, largely blotted out by his gorgeous face above her. The sense that finally, she'd come home.

"Oh, Clark..." It was usually at this point that she woke up. Flushed and over-warm, aching with loss.

"Lois, you can't do your job if you're dead."

She didn't want help from Superman, but maybe... maybe this was a job for Clark Kent.

"Oh. Um, let me look at my schedule." Lois tucked the phone mouthpiece under her chin and reached across the desk for her calendar. It was empty. She brought the phone back up to her mouth. "Gosh, I'm sorry, Lex, but I just can't. An investigative reporter's work is never done, you know.

She didn't even notice how soft Clark's hair was, or marvel at the physique he was hiding behind those concealing business suits, or thrill at his rare polite touches. Or at least, not much.

But he didn't want to use Superman to jump-start their relationship. It felt like cheating, or bragging.

Oooh, a sequel to 'H is for Hubris'!

I really like reading a rewrite of an episode that makes it all fresh again!