Hi Barbara,
glad I can still entertain
Now for the final part:
Chapter 5
Luthor had trapped him in his kryptonite cage for an entire night and he’d still managed to escape. Compared to that night, this wasn’t so bad.
True, but last time he had Lois to rescue. This time, all he got to look forward to is two irate girlfriends.
Another kick hit him hard and threw him around. The man’s laughter seemed to come through thick fog.
Let’s hope Henderson leaves Lois behind. Otherwise, he got a murder case on his plate after all.
The lights flickered for another few moments, then stayed on.
I wonder if Lois is attempting Morse code.
“You’re going to call for Superman!”
Wouldn’t it be fun if they really did try to pull a Die Hard and never even heard about Mayson?
For a moment his gaze flickered back to the lanky guy. Pain exploded in the side of his head.
Then everything went black.
/wags naughty-naughty-finger at author/
and get Clark out of there, somehow.
Henderson’s jaw worked and he narrowed his eyes on Lois. “Don't even think about going back there!”
Adorable!
Clark wasn't about to do what she thought he’d do, was he?
Maybe she remembers for the next time she does something reckless?
LOIS: Don’t be daft!
Lois clapped her hand to her mouth as Clark collapsed from a knock against his head.
Ah, that’s what happened.
“They shot the cameras,” Henderson deadpanned. “Patience, ladies. That's the secret of successfully resolving a hostage situation.”
No, the secret is to not stand next to a non-loadbaring wall and yell ‘Help, Superman! Help!’ This usually resolves any lo-napping situation quickly enough.
“Why did he do this?” Mayson muttered under her breath. “If it’s not about love, then what else?”
She really doesn’t get it, does she? Perhaps now Lois can re-adjust her jealousy.
“Yeah, I guess,” Mayson replied. “If only I had seen that earlier. The things I said to him after what he did for the people in – well, you know.”
“We all do things we’re not proud of,” Lois said.
Yes, but for most people, it’s not like they burn any and all romantic bridges with napalm.
LOIS:
Or it’s just that Clark was always only ever interested in a certain brunette reporter.
His right eye was swollen shut and his cheek was badly bruised. His head lolled limply from side to side.
Oh boy. Someone get the first aid tanning lamp!
Perhaps she could have used her Taekwondo skills on him, but punching the Inspector in the face didn’t seem like a good choice.
Clark must really be rubbing off on her.
“You’re in my car,” the voice gently supplied. Even through the cotton wool in his ears there was something warm about her, soothing.
Lois. So she was safe.
Umm… she’s speeding through Metropolis mid-morning traffic, trying to get to a hospital. ‘safe’ isn’t the first word that comes to mind to describe the situation.
“That’s not true. You're a good person and I failed to see that. I'm sorry.”
Isn’t it funny how she never saw the real person and decided she wanted the part she did see only to figure out the hard way that she had to take the entire package, something she herself managed to foul up?
He had no idea how to deal with Lois now that she knew.
European chocolates. And white beach dates.
Lois rushed around the car and laid a hand around his waist. “You're very obviously not fine,” she scoffed.
She really should remember that for future reference.
“I'm okay,” he said quietly. “I promise. Thanks for getting me out of there. Thanks for saving Mayson when I couldn't.”
Since Lois already knows (or hopes?) that Clark has not chosen Mayson, it’s a much smaller ask to save her former coemption.
Or would she come to realize that Superman wasn’t the man she’d thought him to be - and Clark wasn’t either?
Yes, Superman’s now attainable and Clark’s not a flake. Whatever will she do with such information.
LOIS: Clark’s also much more handy during an on-site investigation.
Lois raised her chin to look at him. “That's what you said in the conference room. Don't worry, I’ve been through worse. What did you mean by that?”
Oh boy. /cue massive guilt complex/
Images of Luthor taunting him while he'd been lying in the cage danced before his mind's eye. He resisted the urge to shake his head in order to get rid of them. She didn't need to know.
He lowered his gaze. “Nothing.”
“Clark!”
/claps hands excitedly/
“Oh, just great!” Lois grumbled. “Just another thing you're not telling me about. Let's keep Lois in the dark. I thought you were done lying to me.”
Oh boy, I fully expect Lois to go “you should not have told me that!”
“One moment I find out my best friend is really Superman and the next moment he's nearly killed. Honestly, I'm not sure what to think.”
How about: “Superman can be hurt. Best drag him to a dark place before something happens to him”?
CLARK (groaning from Kryptonite): Can we do a sunny beach instead?
“Do you want to come upstairs and talk?”
She raised her brow and gave him a sceptical once over. “Can you even make it?”
Not lie when he’s upstairs?
Did he believe she'd think less of him if he wasn't the indestructible hero?
Perhaps? She could show him?
Clark's gaze met hers, his one chocolate brown eye so warm and tender.
That’s an adorable reference to his other eye being swollen shut. Great touch!
“The shirt, too?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
He shook his head and cringed. “What I need, above all, is sunlight.”
Hence the bedroom.
Yes. Let him bask in sunlight and then he’s already in the bedroom when he’s all healed up.
I couldn't tell you while I wasn't sure you were in for the long run.
Oh, she was in for a long run. She’d already put on her runaway-bride sneakers.
Her mouth ran dry. “And now both Mayson and I know.”
“Yeah, you do.” Clark lay down, his energy reserves obviously spent.
Combined with her realization that he will want to marry the woman who knows the secret –
He shook his head. “I could never sleep while you’re still angry at me.”
“I’m not angry,” she protested.
Clark clicked his tongue. “Nu..uh… try again.”
Also, this doesn’t bode well for his future sleep schedule.
“I'm the same person I was yesterday,” he said softly. “I'm the man who brings you coffee and secretly enjoys your rants. I also have this annoying habit of vanishing right in the middle of a serious conversation. That’s not going to change.”
Lois applied the wet towel to his chest and started to wipe away the dried blood there. “You’d still want me even though I slammed the door in your face?”
Hey, she didn’t do it while he was vulnerable, so no harm done.
He shrugged. “I'm in love with you.”
I’m in love with you, too. She wanted to say it so badly.
Awwwww
“That’s why I couldn’t save him when he jumped off the building.”
Lois clapped her hand to her mouth. “That’s terrible. Oh, Clark!”
She closed her eyes. How come he was even still talking to her?
Well… it’s either because he sees her or because he sees something in her
“I should have listened to you.”
He laughed. “I’m going to remind you of that the next time I tell you to stay put and you jump right into the claws of death instead.”
LOIS:
That’s not a reason for listening.
Lois cracked a smile. “Spoilsport.”
“Does that mean we’ve made up?”
“Uh…huh…” Suddenly all her fears and doubts were gone.
He’s not healed yet so hold your horses.
It was as if their hearts beat in tune, as if she became part of him until she no longer knew where her body ended and his began. There was something irrevocably right about kissing him. Like something clicked, a puzzle piece she hadn’t even known she was missing.
Well… this is going to be interesting further down the road.
A little breathless, Lois parted, finally sure she could say it and mean it. “Clark?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m in love with you, too.”
Awwwwww!
What a sweet ending. They’re most adorable! Also, very nice title-connection
Michael
