By Amanda Pfeiffer (ggpfeif@linknet.net)
Summary: Lois and Martha have grown even closer since Clark flew off to save New Krypton. Lois calls up her future mother-in-law whenever she's feeling especially blue. Martha seems sure it won't be too much longer before Clark returns, and Lois only wishes she could believe that.
I wrote this after I saw "Big Girls Don't Fly". Again comments are accepted at ggpfeif@linknet.net
***
It was storming outside and Lois was at her sofa, staring blankly at her laptop computer screen. "This is pathetic, I can't even concentrate," Lois said as she pushed her computer onto the coffee table in front of her. "Clark really has some nerve leaving me alone in Metropolis to cover for him, while he's off gallivanting on some space rock."
Lois picked up her phone and dialed Clark's parents' number. "Hi Martha, it's Lois," Lois said, trying to sound happy, but not succeeding.
"Hi Lois, what's the matter?" Martha said, with some concern in her voice. She and Lois had become a lot closer in the past three weeks Clark had been gone.
"Oh, nothing… I mean nothing new. Martha, I'm going bonkers! I never realized how much I need Clark, not just to humor me when I go off on some wild tangent, but I'm really having trouble with this story I'm working on. We've been a team for so long, our minds work together. When Clark left not only did he take a piece of my heart with him, he took some of my investigative sense too, but don't tell him I said that," Lois exclaimed, relieving some of her tension.
"Honey, you're still the reporter you have always been, you're just worrying yourself to death," Martha said.
"I can't help it. Everything I do, everywhere I go, I find something that reminds me of Clark. Yesterday, I went shopping and I saw the prettiest burgundy dress and I almost burst into tears, because I know how much Clark loves me in burgundy." Lois started to sob.
"I know everything is going to be all right. Just be patient. Clark will be back soon, probably sooner than you think." Martha tried to comfort Lois.
"How can you be so positive?" Lois asked, trying to stop crying.
"I have my ways. Just trust me and don't worry. Okay?" Martha answered.
"You're right. I can finish this story on my own. Lois said, sounding determined. "Hey, I just remembered! Clark has some files at his apartment that might be helpful."
"See, Lois. If you focus on your work, you'll be fine." Martha said.
"Thanks Martha." Lois said.
"For what?" Martha asked.
"For listening," Lois answered.
It was 8:30 P.M. when Lois entered Clark's apartment. It was the first time since Clark had left that she had been there. As Lois looked around, she almost started to cry, again. Nothing had changed, everything looked normal. "Well, Clark better come back with his rent check or his landlord is going to be pretty mad," Lois thought. The thought made her smile in spite of her sadness.
Lois didn't know where to start looking for Clark's important files. She knew they weren't computer files, they were portfolios, but she didn't know where Clark kept them. After looking everywhere she could imagine, Lois still had no luck. It was 12:00 A.M. and she was tired, so she fell asleep on Clark's bed. When Lois' head hit the pillow, she could smell Clark's aftershave. She'd never really noticed it before, but right now it smelled sweet. It made her realize how much she really missed him.
Lois woke up at 3:30 A.M. and couldn't go back to sleep so she decided to take a shower and look for the files again. Before she got into the shower, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were puffy from lack of sleep and crying too much. "Clark you'd better hurry back, because if you take too long I may not be much to look at." Lois said as she got undressed and slipped off her engagement ring. She carefully placed it on the counter and walked into the bathroom closing the door behind her.
When Lois opened the bathroom door, a puff of steam followed her. Her hair was dripping wet and she was wearing a pair of Clark's jogging pants and a t-shirt. She walked over to the counter by the sink and grabbed her ring. But when she put it on, she noticed something was different. It wasn't her engagement ring, it was her wedding band. "But Clark has my…" Lois thought, as she looked at her finger. Lois spun around and saw Clark leaning against the bedroom door.
"Guess what? I'm back!" Clark smiled and opened his arms to hug Lois. Lois just stood there surprised. "What, you're not happy to see me?" Clark asked.
"Of course I'm happy to see you! Clark, you have no idea how much I missed you!" Lois exclaimed. Lois ran up to and kissed Clark.
"Whoa, what a welcome home present!" Clark exclaimed, referring to Lois' kiss.
"How did you know I would be here?" Lois asked.
"Well, I went by your place and you weren't there and you told my mom that you were coming here to get some files so I figured you were still here." Clark explained.
"How did you know I told your mom that? You were at your parents' house, weren't you!" Lois accused Clark.
"Yeah, I was on the phone too." Clark mumbled.
"You were there all the time and you never said anything!" Lois exclaimed.
"I wanted to surprise you, but I couldn't wait to hear your voice." Clark tried to explain.
"Well, I guess I'll let you slide this time, Kent." Lois said, with a laugh. She was too happy to see him to be mad. Lois gave Clark another hug and a kiss.
Clark whispered in Lois' ear. "So, how about tomorrow we go get that burgundy dress."
Lois smiled and said, "Okay, where's your charcoal suit?!"
THE END
(cameback.txt)