By Emerald Shine (emeraldshine@usa.net)
Summary: An ending scenario for "And the Answer Is…" after Clark pops the question in the rain.
(the missing portion from the final scene of "And The Answer Is…)
***
Clark Kent was down on one knee, rain pouring from the sky, but he no longer noticed. As he held out the opened black velvet jewelry box containing the diamond engagement ring he had agonized over choosing, he looked into the astonished eyes of the only woman he'd ever love, Lois Lane. "Lois, will you marry me?"
A moment ticked past. It felt like an eternity. Lois was having a hard time believing what she'd wished and dreamed for with all her heart had finally come true. Clark really was asking her to marry him, and she was too dazed to reply immediately. She knew with her heart and soul that she just wanted to throw herself into his arms and remain there always, unendingly, but there was that one detail still nagging at her…
"Clark," Lois started, needing to know the truth, "two days ago, you wanted so urgently to tell me something. Something so important to you, something so important for me. You said there was another reason why you always run off, a reason having nothing to do with your fear of intimacy or commitment. What is it Clark? What is your secret?"
"Oh God," Clark thought. Lois was right. He needed to tell her, and she needed to know. If only that phone call had never happened… But then he might not be here, doing what he was. He took a deep breath and simply took in her expression…
"Never mind," she answered softly. "I think I know." She gently removed Clark's rain-streaked glasses and stared into the endless depths of his eyes.
"Lois, I—" Clark began, almost in a panic, yet almost relieved
Lois placed a finger on his lips, then leaned forward to kiss him tenderly. She looked at him, and he was silent.
"I don't care why. I don't want to know how. All I want to know is if you're going to put that ring on my finger, Clark Kent!"
Clark was stunned, speechless. Somehow, having his memory jogged to when the revelation had taken place because of Tempus, not so long ago, he'd feared the worst when it came time to tell Lois of his "other job". Lord knows he'd tried, but funny how she'd figured it out on her own. As the world stood still and magically froze the hands of time, he delicately slipped the ring onto Lois' finger, as he lovingly repeated the phrase he'd so longed yearned to say, "Lois, will you marry me?"
Lois felt like a mystical spell had been cast over them. It was like they were the only two people left in the universe, and she almost wished they were. She never wanted this moment to end — it was so perfect, so fragile. "Yes," she told him compassionately. They gazed into each other's eyes as if in a trance.
The kiss that followed was one of pure magic. It seemed to be without end, as if the moment were to live eternally. Lois ran her hand through Clark's damp hair, never wanting to let go. As they kissed on that endless summer night, the rain disappeared. After the rain came the dawn of a whole new life. Their new life. Together.
As they walked hand-in-hand along the path, back into their unknown destiny, Lois smiled. "You realize, Mr. Kent, that you're stuck with me for the rest of your life! And I guess I'll just have to deal with you," she teased. "There's no turning back!"
Clark put his arms around Lois and held her close. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
After the rain came forever.
THE END
(aftrrain.txt)