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Broken	By : MidnightBard Category: G through L > Lois & Clark Views: 2191 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Lois knocked on Clark's door at about a quarter after five on the day of her cousin's engagement party. Clark had dressed earlier, at normal, human speed, grateful to have the day off. He and Lois and finally broken the case on the corrupt police officers not two days past. It felt wonderful to have that story out in the public's eye, even if they weren't quite finished with it. They would still need to do a follow-up, once the police department conducted their own hearings and disciplined the guilty parties. He and Lois had had a difficult time in nailing the case down, working, in some cases, eighteen hours a day, wading through research, chasing leads, calling their snitches, and holding stakeouts. Both were bone-weary by the time they wrote their article, so Perry hadn't complained when they had both requested a couple of days off.
                Even Superman had taken a step back from his duties. Clark just hadn't had the time, or the energy, to attend to anything less than the most urgent of situations. He hadn't liked decreasing Superman's activity, but he hadn't had any choice. He was burning the candle at both ends, and had been in real danger of just absolutely collapsing from exhaustion on a couple of days. Still, he had lent his services to a couple of terrible traffic accidents, a factory fire in Hobb's Bay, and in hostage situation in Miami.
                Now though, for this day, he was ready to set Superman aside and just be Clark Kent, Lois' boyfriend.
                "Just a second," he called, finishing rinsing out his coffee mug and setting it in the drain board to dry.
                He shut off the tap and swiftly crossed his living room. He ascended the steps to the landing two at a time, eager to let Lois into his apartment. He pulled open the door and took Lois into his arms before she could say a single word. His lips descended on hers, capturing them in a deep kiss.
                "I missed you," he said, after their kiss ended. He rested his forehead against hers.
                "I missed you too," Lois replied, running her fingertips through his hair. "Sorry I didn't call last night."
                "Don't worry about it," Clark said, letting her out of his embrace as he ushered her into his place. He waved his hand dismissively before him. "I crashed at around nine and slept for a solid thirteen hours."
                Lois grinned. "I passed out around the same time, I think. All I know was that I was relaxing in bed, watching a movie, and the next thing I know, I woke up at eight in the morning with a growling stomach." She paused for a moment. "Thirteen hours? I thought you said you didn't require as much sleep as a regular person."
                Clark shrugged. "Normally, I don't. But if I push myself too hard, then, yeah, I need much more rest than usual, in order to recharge."
                "And we really did pull some long days the past couple of weeks," Lois said thoughtfully. "Especially you."
                Clark nodded and rubbed the back of his neck, flushing a little. "Yeah. It was a bit rougher than usual. In any case, Lois, you look fantastic."
                To his eyes, Lois could wear a burlap sack and still look phenomenal. But the form-fitting burgundy dress and matching pumps she wore - he was pretty sure his eyes were popping out of his head. The neckline plunged in a sharp V that showed the barest hints of the swell of her breasts, and the inviting valley between them. A modest slit up the side of the dress was tastefully done. A single diamond hung suspended on a chain about her neck, and matching earrings dangled and caught the light at every movement, unhindered from her dark tresses, which she wore up in a mass of curls instead of her usual way.
                Next to her, Clark felt bizarrely underdressed, even in his crisp, brand-new charcoal suit. He wished he'd gone with the maroon shirt now, instead of the white, and wondered if he should switch his tie to find something that matched Lois' dress. He glanced down and fingered the black and white tie at his throat, frowning.
                "Thanks," Lois said, in response to his compliment. "You look great too. Actually, you look more than great. I love charcoal suits on a man."
                "Thank you. If you give me a minute, I'll change my tie. I have something in roughly the same color as your dress."
                "You mean the one with the white triangles all over it?"
                Clark nodded.
                "No way. That tie is an offense to the eye. In fact, we should probably burn it, so it can't destroy anyone else's retinas."
                "You really don't like it?" he asked, trying to choke back a chuckle. It was a fairly new addition to his collection of ties. He'd picked it because it was kind of funky looking, like many of his ties.
                Lois laughed. "I really don't. I can't imagine why any designer would approve of that pattern, let alone why anyone would buy it."
                This time, Clark couldn't suppress his laugh. He quickly pulled Lois to himself and gave her a chaste kiss.
                "It's a good thing I love you," he teased. "No one else could criticize my ties and get away with it, you know."
                "Actually, it's the other way around," Lois teased back. "It's a good thing I love you. No one else would put up with your awful taste in neckwear."
                "Gee, thanks, Lois. You sure know how to make a guy feel great," he responded, tongue firmly tucked in cheek.
                Again, Lois laughed. "Come on. We'd better get going."
                "Where to?" Clark asked, realizing for the first time that he had no idea where Cindy's party was being held.
                "The Grand Ballroom in the Lexor," Lois replied as they opened the door and stepped out, Clark locking it behind them.
                "Pricey," Clark observed. "I thought you said this was her third marriage."
                "Fourth," Lois clarified, a snort of disgust slipping out along with the word. "But, nothing's too good for Cindy. Nothing's too over-the-top."
                Clark raised his eyebrows. "Anyone else, and I'd call sour grapes." His tone wasn't accusing, but understanding, conveying to her just how much he believed that was not the case with her.
                Lois sighed. "I would too. And I'm not jealous or anything. It's just, I want Cindy to be happy. I really do." They reached Lois' Jeep and climbed inside, shutting the doors. Lois put the key in the ignition and fiddled with the heat. "I just wish she'd spend as much time getting to really know her fiancés as she does planning her parties. She would avoid a lot of heartache that way. Besides, there is one very, very good reason why I'm not jealous of her."
                "And what's that?"
                "I have you. Somehow, I managed to be found by the perfect guy, to be loved and to fall in love with my best friend. No matter what else my future holds, no matter what craziness my family members go through, I have you."
                "Always," Clark said, his voice like a solemn vow.
                Yet...would Lois leave him, once he found a way to tell her the deep, dark secret he carried? And he knew, as certainly as he knew that the sun would rise in the East and set in the West each day, that he would have to tell her at some point. It was a necessity. He could not move forward with his life - no, they could not move forward with their lives - until he told her his secret. Part of him hoped for her acceptance. After all, once she had calmed down after discovering that he masqueraded as an alien superhero, she had come to accept his dual identities quite easily.
                But this other thing, this shadow from his past which haunted him still, all these years later - it would take a super woman to accept. And even if she did, it would never be fair to her. In fact, it wasn't fair to her now. Guilt gnawed at Clark whenever he thought of it. He could never be the man Lois deserved. He loved her fiercely. He would do anything for her. He would die for her.
                But there was one thing he could not do.
                He should, he knew, either tell her or break things off with her. It wasn't fair to string her along the way he was. What if Lois wanted more than he could give? What if she wanted to take their relationship to a higher level? He would only wind up breaking her heart.
                "Clark?" Lois asked, jolting him out of his thoughts.
                With a start, Clark realized she'd been driving for some time. They were halfway to the Lexor already.
                "Hmm?" he asked, blinking at the sudden revelation.
                "Are you okay? You've been quiet for a while. Too quiet, if you ask me."
                "I...was just lost in thought," he answered honestly.
                "You seem upset."
                Clark waved his hand, trying to dispel her concern. "I'll be fine."
                "Are you sure?"
                Clark nodded, hoping he was right. He needed to tell Lois. There was simply no way he could just walk away from her, from their relationship. She was the one bright spot in his life. He could not - would not - throw that away. She deserved to know the truth about him. Then, if she chose to leave him, at least she would make the decision for herself. He had, after all, sworn to himself that he'd never purposefully do anything to hurt her. He only hoped that when he did tell her about the darkness in his past, that she would be understanding.
                "You aren't nervous about meeting my family, are you?" Lois prodded, throwing a sideways glance at him as she stopped for a red light. "Because, if you are, we can fake a work emergency."
                Clark shook his head. "Lois, there is no way on Earth the Lane family will ever scare me away from being with you."
                "Well...all right."
                "Lois, you sound way too hopeful that I'll give you an excuse to run for the hills today. Relax. You won't be attending this family function alone. I'll be right there with you."
                Lois brightened considerably at that. "That's true."
                "Of course it is," Clark teased.
                "I knew I liked you for a reason," Lois shot back, a grin on her face.
                Clark chuckled and relaxed, settling further into the passenger side seat, forgetting, for a moment, his heavy thoughts.
                It didn't take much longer for them to arrive at the Lexor. Lois allowed the valet parking to take her car, then intimately linked her arm with Clark's. Together, they entered into the lavish hotel, looking about them in wonder. The place had only opened four months prior, and the photos Jimmy had taken at the opening ceremony hadn't done the place justice at all, despite the young man's photographic prowess.
                "Wow," Lois commented, her eyes tracing the marble pillars as they rose to a fifty-foot ceiling.
                "Yeah," Clark agreed, impressed, though he did not like Lex Luthor at all, from the few dealings he'd had with him in covering stories for the paper. "This is something else."
                "Lex outdid himself."
                "Yep. Leave it to Luthor to make such a statement," Clark said, a hint of disgust in his words.
                Lois knew his feelings toward Lex and didn't comment. Instead, she pointed to her right. "Looks like the party is that way."
                Clark looked in the direction Lois had pointed to. A golden plaque on the wall helpfully pointed out the directions of the restrooms, phones, elevators, and the Grand Ballroom. Still arm-in-arm, they turned down the wide hall, where massive double doors stood open, soft music wafting to meet them as they drew closer. A group of men and women was standing just to the left of the open doors in a loose circle, talking amongst themselves. Clark wondered who they were, but Lois didn't divulge. Perhaps she didn't know them either.
                "Lois! There you are! I was wondering if you were going to make it!" a somewhat raspy voice called out as a blonde woman strode purposefully over to them.
                "Mom, hi. And we're only ten minutes late."
                "You said you'd be here early."
                "No, I said I'd get here as quickly as I could. We hit traffic."
                "Well, you should have left earlier. You know how dreadful the city traffic is. I mean, you do live here and all. And just who is this?" Ellen Lane said, giving Clark a quick once-over with her eyes.
                "Mother, this is Clark Kent. I told you about him. Clark, this is my mom, Ellen."
                "A pleasure to meet you," Clark said politely, sticking out his hand.
                Ellen shook it distractedly. "You brought your co-worker?" she asked Lois.
                "Mother, I've told you, I don't know how many times now, Clark and I are dating."
                "Right, right," Ellen said, pausing to sip from her glass of ice water. "Well, come on in. You shouldn't keep Cindy waiting."
                Ellen turned, leading them all into the ballroom. As soon as her back was turned, Lois shot Clark an exasperated look and mouthed something silently. Kill me, it looked like. Clark gave her a reassuring smile and mouthed back. Love you. Lois returned his smile, grabbed his hand, and gave it a thankful squeeze, even if she didn't look convinced that his presence could ward off the exhaustion being around her family often caused.
                As they stepped into the ballroom, Clark grudgingly allowed himself to once again be impressed. Thick, royal red and purple carpeting ringed the room, muffling their footfalls into nothingness. In the very center of the room, a vast dance floor stood, constructed from white marble with gold veining. Impeccably set tables were scattered about the room, appearing to be equidistant from one another. Soft candlelight lit the room, as well as light pink lights which bathed the walls from floor to ceiling. It was altogether inviting, warm, and comfortable looking, despite the fact that Lex Luthor owned the establishment.
                Pockets of people stood, tucked away in various corners of the room, while others lounged at the tables. Most were already deep in conversation, and Clark could hear a few people laughing as one man told an off-color joke. A few others were already leaning against the bar, sipping their drinks. And, in the center of it all, a woman and a man stood on the dance floor, beaming with pride.
                Lois leaned in and whispered to Clark, gesturing toward the couple. "Cindy, and who I can only assume is Mark."
                Clark nodded. With his enhanced vision, he could easily see, even from halfway across the room, the similarities in Cindy's features to Lois. She was definitely a relative. She had the same jaw line, the same nose. But, even with those mirrors to Lois, she couldn't hold a candle to Lois' radiance. His grip on Lois' hand tightened imperceptibly as the thought crossed his mind.
                "Lo-Lo!" Cindy called out, as she caught sight of her cousin.
                "Lo-Lo?" Clark whispered back, as Ellen left them to get a new drink at the bar.
                Lois rolled her eyes. "A select few people have ever called me that. I hate it."
                "I don't know," Clark said, pretending to think it over. "Lo-Lo has a certain ring to it, don't you think?"
                "It has the ring of a slow, painful death. Even for...you know who," she teased, making their subtle gesture which stood for Clark's alter-ego.
                Clark chuckled. "Okay, okay," he said, putting his hands up in a gesture of pacification.
                Lois nodded, satisfied, then turned her attention to her cousin. "Cindy!"
                "So glad you could make it," Cindy said, motioning to the party around them. "It's great to see you. What's it been? Two years?"
                "Yeah, I guess so," Lois said, giving Cindy a quick hug and peck on the cheek, which the other woman returned. "Cindy, this is Clark."
                "Hi," Clark said, shaking the woman's hand.
                "Hi. So nice to meet you. This is my fiancé, Mark. Sweetie, this is my cousin, Lois. So, are you two...?"
                "Dating," Lois said, nodding.
                "Ah. Good for you! I'm happy to hear that. Last time we spoke, you were complaining that some hack from Iowa was mooning over you at work."
                "Kansas," Clark reflexively corrected.
                "Right, Kansas. I guess you knew him too then?" Cindy asked.
                Clark shifted his weight, uncomfortable now. "Uh, yeah. That guy...the hack...that would be me."
                To her credit, Cindy's face went fuchsia as she blushed, making her baby pink dress seem colorless against her heated skin.
                "Oh, God. I'm sorry," she stuttered, trying to apologize. "I didn't mean..."
                "It's fine," Clark said, giving her a smile, trying to put her at ease. "I won't pretend that Lois and I got off to an easy start."
                "It's all in the past now," Lois said, coming to Clark's aid.
                "Yes, I see. Well, I'm happy for you. I hope you two are as happy together as Mark and I are."
                "Thanks," Lois said, giving her cousin a smile. "And, uh, congratulations, by the way."
                That melted away any lingering remnants of Cindy's embarrassment and awkwardness. "Thank you." She thrust her left hand up for Lois' inspection. "Did Mark do a good job or what?" She wiggled her ring finger, making the stone catch the light and throw small prisms around.
                Indeed, it did look to be an impressive stone. At least three carets, the princess cut, solitaire diamond glinted merrily on a gold band. Once again slipping into his enhanced vision, Clark curiously took a closer look at the stone. In less than a second, he was down almost to the atomic level. It was just as he'd thought.
                "It's beautiful," Lois said, and Clark caught the slightest of sighs in her voice. Was it, perhaps, some jealousy, come to the surface of her carefully constructed facade of happiness? Then, clearing her throat a little, Lois gestured around. "It looks like you have a bunch of people waiting to talk to you. I don't want to monopolize you all night."
                Cindy smiled. "Well, we'll talk later, okay?"
                "Oh, you bet," Lois said, and again Clark heard the forced politeness in her tone.
                "The ring's a fake," Clark said to her as soon as they were out of Cindy's earshot.
                "What?"
                "I scanned it just now, when Cindy was showing it to you. It isn't a real diamond."
                "Really?"
                "Really," he replied, lowering his voice as two women walked by. "It's a cubic, and not a very well made one at that."
                "Ouch," Lois said, shaking her head. "Looks like Cindy's found another winner." She sighed heavily. "I really wish she'd wizen up."
                "Well...maybe...maybe that's all Mark can afford right now," Clark said, trying to find a positive spin on the situation.
                But Lois shook her head. "He owns a jewelry store."
                Clark winced. "Yikes."
                "Uh-huh," Lois agreed, nodding.
                For a moment, Clark paused, listening to the music. "I love this song," he said after a moment, the sweet melody of "Summer Wind" filling the reception room. "Want to dance?"
                "I'd love to."
                "Good," Clark grinned.
                He took her by the hand and led her back to the edge of the dance floor. Other couples meandered onto the marble floor as well. Clark took Lois in his arms, relishing the feel of her arms around his neck, his own about her slender waist. As they danced together, Lois laid her head on his chest, and Clark's heart, as always, just about burst with love for her. The song came to an end far too quickly for Clark's liking. Lois looked up, her gaze locked with his, and he bent his neck to capture her lips with his own.
                "Between you and me," he said in a low voice meant only for her, "you are by far the most beautiful woman in this room."
                "Hmmm, that's funny. Because you are the most handsome man here tonight," she replied back, grinning at him.
                As the party rolled on, Clark found himself separated from Lois a few times, as relatives sought her out to chat. For a time, he made small talk with Sam Lane, who had arrived two hours into the party with a tall, blonde woman who had to be close in age to Lois. He explained to Clark that the woman, Andi, had been his lab assistant for some time, and they had been dating for the better part of three months. But after a time, Clark lost the thread of conversation as Sam began to get more and more technical with what he was talking about. In fact, Clark wasn't even sure what the topic of conversation was about anymore.
                Across the room, Lois and her mom spoke together at an empty table.
                "Lois, really," Ellen complained, sighing. "I thought by now you would have moved on from dating your co-worker. I mean, you can't tell me that you are so desperate for dates that he's the best you can do."
                "Why?" Lois asked, taken aback. "What's wrong with Clark?"
                "Oh please. I thought you were smart enough not to be taken in just by a handsome face."
                "I'm not sure I follow. Clark isn't just an attractive man. He's the most decent guy I've ever met."
                "I'm sure he's a nice guy," Ellen quickly amended. "But, seriously, you can't tell me that he's got much more going for him."
                "Mother, Clark is a damn good reporter. The best I've seen. I mean, he's already got a Kerth under his belt..."
                "Because you helped him," Ellen pointed out.
                "No," Lois said, shaking her head. "I'm the one who won the Kerth because of him. The articles were all his doing. I was just there to help guide him."
                "Be that as it may, he still lacks a certain...pedigree."
                Lois gaped. "Pedigree? He's a person, not a cocker spaniel."
                "I know that. I just...I always pictured you with someone...how to say this delicately? On the same level as you."
                "On the same level? What does that even mean?" Lois asked, half-demanding that Ellen explain herself.
                "Oh, come on. You know exactly what I mean. I thought you'd wind up with someone...well off and well groomed. Not some former farm kid who ran away to live on the streets. I mean, you're an Ivy League graduate for crying out loud."
                "Mother," Lois said, grinding out the words and fighting back the desire to yell, "are you really saying this? That you don't think Clark is any good for me, just because he happened to be raised by farmers? Are you saying he's not worth my time just because he was dealt a bad hand in life, losing his parents so early in life? Or that he can't be my equal just because he earned his degree through a community college? You are just...unbelievable. You know that?"
                "Being dealt a bad hand is one thing, Lois. But to willingly live on the streets..."
                "No," Lois said, angrily cutting her mother off. "Whatever happened, Clark didn't live on the streets because he wanted to. Something happened."
                Ellen arched an eyebrow in a silent demand for an explanation. But Lois shook her head.
                "No, I don't know," she said after grasping for the right words. "Whatever it was, Clark doesn't want to talk about it. I think it still hurts too much."
                "So, what you're saying is...he's hiding something from you. Lois, look, I'm not trying to send your relationship crashing to the ground here."
                "Oh, really? Because it seems to me like you've brought out the gasoline and matches, wanting to send my relationship with Clark down in a fireball."
                Ellen sighed a moment, pinching the bridge of her nose in thought. "All I mean is, I don't want to see you making the same mistakes I made. When I was dating your father, I ignored a lot of red flags. The way he always resented that I brought in more money than he did, back when he was still making his way through medical school. The way he always evaded my questions when he didn't want to answer me. The way he hid things from me. Now look at us. Sam's dating a woman the age of his daughter and I'm having a hard time not knocking back shots at the bar."
                "Mom," Lois said, touching Ellen's upper arm and rubbing it affectionately. "I know all the troubles you and Daddy had. But Clark isn't like Daddy. He's a good, decent man. He's trusted me with more things than you will ever know. If anything, I respect him more than I have ever respected anyone, for overcoming the obstacles in his life, while becoming the best man I've ever known. Everything he's faced in his life...it could have destroyed him. It could have turned him into someone...someone really bad. But he chose to funnel it all for good. Do you know how many criminals Clark has helped bring to justice? Ninety-seven this year alone, thanks to his investigations. And the year isn't over yet."
                "That's all well and good..."
                "If you're suggesting that I break up with Clark," Lois said, her voice suddenly becoming like an icicle, "you can think again. I love him."
                Again, Ellen sighed. "Do you honestly see a future with him?"
                Lois nodded, softening a little and looking in Clark's general direction. "I do. And, unlike Cindy's track record, I can see being with Clark for the rest of my life."
                "You're as stubborn as your father. Well, if I can't change your mind..."
                "You can't," Lois snapped, cutting her mother off.
                Lois stood angrily and marched away from the table and toward the bar. Clark excused himself from the conversation at the table he was sitting at, though he doubted anyone really heard him. The topic had, as he'd watched Lois, changed from Sam's explanations of a new medical procedure he'd read about, to politics. Most of the people sitting with him were in a heated discussion, and did not notice as he stood and walked away. A few moments later, he joined Lois at the bar, where she had already downed half a glass of red wine.
                "Hey," Clark said, putting his arm around her and kissing her head, knowing Ellen was watching him. "You okay?"
                "Yes...no...I'm not sure."
                "Honey, we don't have to stay if you aren't up for it."
                "I know. It's just...I really hate my family sometimes," she said, sighing. She drained the rest of the glass. To the bartender she simply said, "Another, please."
                The man dutifully poured her another glass. Then Clark led her over to an empty table. He pulled out a chair for her to sit, before seating himself.
                "You're so good to me," Lois said, half to herself. "Why can't she see that?"
                "Honey..."
                "Did you hear those awful things she said?"
                Clark nodded, blushing a little in his embarrassment. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just sort of subconsciously sought out your voice, I guess. Your dad was talking about something and I sort of...lost the thread of conversation."
                Lois nodded, appearing to be fine with Clark's admission. "I don't understand my mother sometimes. She claims she wants me to be happy. And then, when I am, she tries so hard to destroy that feeling."
                "She just doesn't want to see you get hurt," Clark said sympathetically.
                "I wouldn't blame you one bit if my family has totally scared you off by now," Lois replied, staring down into the burgundy depths of her wine glass. "If I were you, I'd be running for the hills."
                Clark gave her a brilliant smile. "No way. Your family can't possibly keep me from you."
                Lois gave him a tremulous smile. "Thanks."
                "Come on. Let's dance, shall we?"
                Lois nodded. "Just one condition."
                "Alright."
                "Hold me as tightly as you can. I want to prove to my mother just how in love we are."
                Clark chuckled and led her out to the dance floor. "Lois, I don't have to prove anything to your mother. When I hold you close, it's because I can't stand the thought of being apart from you, even by a couple of extra inches."
                "Oh, Clark," Lois sighed as she slipped in his waiting arms, laying her head on his chest. "You are just so sweet."
                Clark didn't respond. He merely pulled Lois closer and rested his chin on top of her head. After a moment, he placed a kiss there, taking a moment to marvel once more at how lucky he was to have her in his life. But a tendril of doubt was there inside, slinking cold chains around his heart. How much longer would Lois be in his life? How much longer before his secret was out?
                Forcing the thoughts from his mind, he tightened his embrace the slightest bit. He swayed to the music, savoring the moment. After a time, he became aware of Ellen Lane's gaze on him from across the room. As discreetly as he could, he sent a glance in her direction. The woman was chatting with Lois' aunt, Cindy's mother, but clearly watching the action on the dance floor. The slightest hint of a smile perked up one corner of her mouth, though Clark couldn't be sure if it was from the conversation she was having or if seeing Lois so happy had caused it.
                Toward the end of the night, Clark was finally starting to feel a little better about Lois' family. Sam was a nice enough guy, even if Clark could never understand how a man could leave his family, and look down on the fact that he had daughters. He'd even managed to have a somewhat decent conversation with Ellen, though he could still detect undertones in the woman's voice which told him she wasn't sold on Lois' relationship with him. If nothing else, Clark thought Lois' younger sister, Lucy, was an absolute sweetheart. She was so like Lois, it was impossible to mistake them as being anything but sisters. Clark took an immediate liking to the younger woman.
                Everything was going much better until the dessert was being served, when the music came to an abrupt halt as two people started yelling. Cindy stormed into the middle of the dance floor, trailed by Mark.
                "Baby, please, just listen to me!" Mark pleaded.
                "Not a chance!" Cindy shot back. "How could you?"
                "It's all a lie, I'm telling you."
                "Why would she lie?"
                Mark shrugged. "Jealousy?"
                Cindy snorted with disgust. "I don't think so."
                "Cindy..."
                "No!" the bride-to-be snapped. "I don't want to hear it! Take your stupid ring back, pig!"
                With that, Cindy ripped the engagement ring from her finger and threw it in Mark's face. Then she ran from the room, tears streaming, leaving black trails of mascara running down her cheeks. Mark picked up the ring from the floor, shock on his face. For a moment he stood there, dumbfounded, before striding after Cindy. Clark frowned. It didn't seem like the man was moving with as much urgency as he should have been.
                "Yikes," Clark commented, watching the couple retreat from the room. "Wonder what that was all about."
                Lois shook her head. "Who knows?" She shrugged.
                "Wait, you mean you aren't going to chase after them to see what happened?"
                "Nope."
                "Excuse me, I thought I was sitting with Lois Lane, investigative reporter," Clark teased. "Have you seen her?"
                Lois swatted his arm playfully. "Very funny." She sighed. "All I want is to go home."
                Indeed, most of the party goers were starting to make their way to the exit, rattled by the sudden outburst they'd witnessed. Clark helped Lois to her feet, noting how unsteady she was. While Lois went to say goodnight to her family, Clark got the car from the valet parking. Ten minutes later, Lois emerged from the hotel and slipped into the passenger seat. She leaned back into the cushioned seat and closed her eyes.
                "Tonight was a disaster," she moaned, her words slurred heavily.
                Clark snuck a peek at her as he stopped at a red light. "It wasn't...completely bad," he said.
                "You're kidding, right?"
                "Lois, I know it wasn't what you hoped for..."
                "Wasn't what I'd hoped for?" she repeated, incredulous. "Clark, my mother all but demanded I break up with you, my father is dating that...that...bimbo, and my cousin stormed out of her own engagement party. It was nothing short of a disaster."
                Clark shrugged as the light turned green again. He drove on. "I did get to spend some time talking with Lucy."
                "Yeah?"
                "I can't speak for her, of course, but I think we got along really well. I like her a lot. She reminds me of you in a lot of ways."
                That made Lois smile. "Good. Because she mentioned to me that she really likes you too. I think she might be the only one in my family who's happy to see us together." She fell silent a moment before speaking again. "Anyway, thanks for coming with me tonight. I don't think I would have survived that without you."
                "My pleasure," Clark said, sneaking another glance at her. "Anything to make you happy."
                "Happy," Lois repeated. She looked down at her feet and frowned. "My feet are so not happy right now." She bent a little and pulled off her pumps, then wiggled her toes. "Ahh," she sighed. "Much better."
                Clark chuckled. "Just relax for a while, okay? You'll be home in no time."
                Traffic was much better leaving the heart of the city than it had been entering. As they drove, Clark caught the sights of long lines of people standing outside the various clubs and restaurants. His sharp vision even caught Jimmy pleading with a bouncer for admittance into the Metro Club. Lois was silent for most of the trip home. At first, Clark thought perhaps she'd fallen asleep, but when he looked over, she was just staring ahead, out the windshield, lost, it seemed, in her own thoughts.
                "Here we are," Clark announced after a while, as he pulled up outside of Lois' apartment building. "Home sweet home."
                He carefully parked the vehicle and turned off the ignition. Slipping from his seat, he jogged around the front of the car and opened Lois' door, offering her a hand as she got out. She was still swaying on her feet and now shoeless, so Clark scooped her up in his arms and carried her inside. They rode the elevator in silence, though, by now, Lois' quietness was starting to unnerve him. It was rare indeed when Lois was so quiet. And when she had been, it had only meant that she was too furious to speak. Clark had been on the receiving end of that anger after she'd discovered that he was Superman, and hoped to never experience it ever again.
                Tonight, however, he could not feel the wrath of Mad Dog Lane emanating from her. She seemed thoughtful and a little sad instead. Clark held her a little tighter in response, silently letting her know he was there to help shoulder whatever she was feeling.
                "Door to door service," he said quietly, as the elevator doors slid open with a soft ding.
                He carried her out of the car and down the hall to her apartment. He set her down lightly before the door, allowing her to find her keys and open the five locks that secured it.
                "My mother is such an idiot," Lois murmured as she worked on the locks. "If only she knew how truly wonderful you are."
                "She will," Clark promised her. "Because I am not going anywhere. She'll be forced to get to know me better."
                "Good." The last lock clicked open and Lois turned the doorknob, opening the door wide. "Will you come in for a bit?" she asked, as she stepped over the threshold.
                "Sure," Clark said, following her into her place. He shut the door behind him once he was inside.
                "Coffee?"
                He shook his head. "No thanks. Can I make you one?"
                "No. I'm okay for now. Clark...I don't know exactly how to say this," Lois said, wringing her hands together.
                "Hey," Clark said, trying to reassure her, "you can tell me anything. You know that."
                "It's more of a question really."
                "Okay, well, you can ask me anything too."
                "I know." But even as she said the words, she looked away, unable to meet his gaze.
                "Lois? Honey? Is everything okay?"
                "You know, I'm just going to say it. Like a band aid. You know. You just rip it right off so it hurts less. Not that I want to get hurt...or hurt you...or...God, I'm just sucking everything right out of this, aren't I?"
                "Honey, you lost me," Clark admitted, at a complete loss.
                "Okay, here goes," Lois said, sucking in a breath. "Will you...stay the night?"
                "Stay the...you mean...camp out on your couch?" Clark asked, already knowing just what Lois had it mind.
                "No," Lois said, shaking her head. "I meant...I want you to spend the night with me. In my bed. Like a normal couple."
                "Lois, I...I dunno know..."
                "Clark, please. Make love to me?"
                Clark swallowed hard, feeling a few beads of perspiration forming on his forehead, while the palms of his hands grew moist.
                "Look, Lois, it's late."
                "It's only ten-thirty," she countered.
                "And you've had a lot to drink," Clark argued gently. "I wouldn't feel right about...doing that...under the circumstances."
                "You won't be taking advantage of me," Lois replied. "Yeah, I had a few drinks, but I'm not that drunk. I want this. I want you."
                Lois moved forward a step, closer to him. For his part, Clark stepped back, keeping the distance between them.
                "I can't, Lois."
                "You don't want me?" she asked, wounded.
                Clark shook his head. "That's not what I mean."
                "Then why?"
                "It's just...I have to work tomorrow, early. The Sanderson case, remember? The verdict is being delivered first thing in the morning. You know how crazy it gets on verdict day. I'll have to be at the courthouse extra early."
                It was true. Clark had been covering the case for months, ever since Martin Sanderson had been arrested and charged with seven counts of murder in the first degree. Now, the long process of sitting through testimonies and experts was finally coming to an end. Clark thought it a cinch that the man would be found guilty on all accounts and sent to prison for the remainder of his life.
                "Clark..."
                Just then, a cry for help caught his attention. Two cars had collided head first. One had flipped, trapping the occupants inside.
                "Lois, I really need to go," Clark said, making their secretive hand gesture. "Please, forgive me. I promise, we'll talk about this."
                "Fine, go," Lois said, clearly disappointed.
                Clark hated to leave her that way, upset with him. But he had no choice. Lives were at stake, and he didn't have his blue suit with him. He went to the window he usually used as Superman and opened it. Lois trailed him.
                "I love you," he said, giving her a quick kiss.
                "Love you," she replied, though it seemed more automatic than heartfelt.
                "I'm sorry," Clark apologized, as the cry for help came again.
                Then he was off, shooting into the night sky faster than anyone could hope to see, racing to his apartment. He flew in through the door that led from his terrace and into his place. He didn't stop, but instead, kept moving as he shed his charcoal suit and donned the blue one. As soon as he was dressed, he was off again, the terrace door shutting in the wake of his passing.
                Racing to the scene of the car crash, his thoughts were with Lois.
                She wanted him to take her to bed. She wanted to make love with him. And he had turned her down. He wondered just how badly Lois was going
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