By Kerri Sismilich (sismilch@magpage.com)
Summary: A story that picks up from the end of the episode "Individual Responsibility." Lois and Clark go out on a date, and Clark decides to stick with Lois through the entire evening, ignoring whatever his superhearing brings him.
Author's Note: I want to say thanks to Carol for reading my story and telling what was good and what needed help, and also sending my story back to me after I lost my copy! Thanks to Bec and Will for their encouraging reviews. This is my second fanfic. It picks up from the end of 'Individual Responsibility". Comments are appreciated!
***
'But you've gotta promise you won't disappear. And you'll be there at 7? And 7:01? And 7:02? And 7:03? And 7:04? And 7:05?' Lois' words echoed in Clark's head as he prepared for his date with Lois. 'No running off tonight!' he told himself firmly. 'You will not blow your chances with Lois forever. The world can do without Superman for one night. Lois is more important.'
***
Lois paced her apartment. "Oh, god! It's already 6:00. I will never be ready in time. What am I going to wear? Okay, Lois, think. Let's not go insane here. It's just a date. Put yourself in Clark's shoes. What would he want to see you in…burgundy! That's right! Clark likes to see me in burgundy. Listen to me, I'm talking to myself. All this for Clark. Clark. Lois, why are you even considering going out with him tonight? Look at what he's done to you. He is always running off. Should I even show up tonight…" Lois babbled on to herself the whole time she showered. By the time she was done, she came to a decision. "OK, this is his last chance. If it goes well tonight, I'll forgive and forget and we can have a wonderful relationship. If he does run off tonight, it's over. I just can't trust him anymore," she said as she reached for the towel hanging on the rack. She wrapped it around herself and walked out of the shower. One problem had been solved, now it was on to the others. First, what to wear.
Lois rummaged through her closet until she found exactly what she was looking for. A short burgundy dress, made of velvet, with spaghetti straps. "Perfect!" she stated.
Then, she did her nails a deep fuchsia color which complimented her outfit wonderfully. After that, she had just enough time to do her hair in a French twist and curl a few tendrils in the front that didn't quite fit in the twist and slip on her black nylons and high-heeled burgundy shoes. Just then the doorbell rang. Lois took a deep breath and started towards the door.
***
Clark stood nervously behind Lois' door, waiting for her to answer it. He was excited about tonight. They had decided to see a play, Romeo and Juliet. Clark's thoughts were interrupted as Lois swung open the door.
He opened his mouth to speak, but the greeting remained unsaid. Lois looked stunning! Clark stepped forward, mesmerized, and wrapped one of the curly, silky tendrils around his fingers. "You look beautiful," he finally breathed. Lois blushed at his hot look and the attention he was paying to her. Suddenly, she realized just why she had agreed to go out with Clark. She loved him. Plain and simple. She decided to wait to tell him that, though.
Finally, they both regained their composure. "Ahem," Clark cleared his throat, "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, let's go," she said, handing him her coat. He gently slid it over her shoulders.
"All right," he said, taking her hand and guiding her out the door. Lois smiled.
***
Juliet—Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day: It was the nightingale, and not the lark, that pierc'd the fearful hollow of thine ear; nightly she sings on yon pomegranate tree: Believe me, love, it was the nightingale.
"I love this scene," Clark whispered in Lois' ear.
"Me, too," she said, trying to keep her train of thought straight. She could feel his warm breath on her ear, and Romeo's words blurred together, making no sense at all to her.
Very inconspicuously, Lois moved her hand a bit, until it found Clark's. Slowly, she turned his hand over, and clasped it in her own. She gently rubbed her thumb against his palm soothingly. Both relaxed and comfortable with each other, they settled back to enjoy the play, their fingers still intertwined.
***
Prince—…For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and Romeo.
The lights came on and everyone exited the theater.
"That was a great play," Lois said, removing her hand from Clark's, where it had lay through the rest of the play. She slowly looped her arm around his waist and took his hand in hers again, while grinning at him the whole while.
"I agree," Clark said putting his left arm around her shoulder, comforted by her closeness. He had heard several cries for help during the play, but had managed to ignore them all. He felt quite proud of himself. "The end line is my favorite. For never was a story of more woe—"
Lois joined in, "Than this of Juliet and Romeo. That's my favorite line, too. Listen," she said after a moment, "It's still early. Why don't we go back to my place. Play some games, maybe. I also have this great bottle of wine…"
"Great. Your apartment it is."
***
"Okay…um…entertainment," Lois said, picking a category. Her and Clark were playing Trivial Pursuit. The radio was playing softly in the background.
"Who played The Tunnel King in The Great Escape?"
"Ummm…"
A few minutes went by. "Times up," Clark stated, "Charles Bronson."
"I knew that," Lois protested, "You just didn't give me enough time to answer."
Clark didn't answer, or rather, he couldn't. He wasn't listening to her, he was listening to the song that just came on the radio. It was Fly Me to the Moon. Lois noticed the song, but she had a slightly different reaction than Clark.
"Clark," she began, "Would you like to dance?"
Clark was stunned. She was thinking of him, not Superman. 'Thank you' he thought.
"Lois, I'd love to dance."
He placed one hand on the small of her back and the other on her hip. Lois' hands roamed his muscular back, caressing it gently.
In other words, Hold my hand. Please, be true, I love you.
Won't you fly me to the moon? And let me play among the stars. Let me see what spring is like, on Jupiter and Mars.
Lois sighed and moved closer to Clark, resting her head on his shoulder. She couldn't believe how quickly things had changed. This used to be Superman she saw when she heard this song. Now she was dancing to it with Clark. A year ago, she would have never ever thought of something like this.
In other words, Hold my hand. Ooh. In other words, darling, kiss me.
Fill my heart with song, And let me sing forever more. You are all I long for, All I worship and adore.
Clark felt her move closer and arm his arm tightened around her waist, reveling in the fact that this was really happening. He had dreamed of this for so long, it was hard to believe that this was definitely no fantasy.
In other words, Yes, be true. Mmmm. In other words, I love you.
God, did he love her. She was all that Clark lived for and dreamed of. Then and there, he made the decision to tell her. She had to know the truth. He couldn't ruin what he had worked for so hard by him running off to save someone. She had to know why. He couldn't let her keep thinking it was her. Especially now, with Scardino around. It seemed that he always seemed to show up as soon as Clark was gone, just waiting for him to leave so he could take his place, to make Lois love him instead.
You are all I long for, All I worship and adore. In other words, Please, be true.
Yes. In other words, I love you. Fly me to the moon.
Clark sighed. This was unreal. Lois was completely comfortable dancing in his arms, Clark's arms, not Superman's. Even though this was their song, hers and Superman's, not hers and Clark's.
As the song ended; Lois leaned over and kissed him gently and tenderly on the lips. "Clark Kent, I love you." And with that she pressed her mouth to his again.
Clark was thrilled at the sensations flowing through him. He and Lois both sighed and released each other's mouths.
"Lois, I have to tell you something and I think you better sit down," Clark said, guiding her over to the couch. He loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, also removing his glasses. "Lois, I'm…I'm…Superman."
"Oh," was all Lois could say. Her head was spinning. It all made sense now. Clark running off suddenly. She now understood. She knew she should be mad, but she wasn't. OK, she was a little mad. But there was time for that later. She was mainly relieved. Clark's running away didn't have to do with her. He _did_ love her. Superman was needed at those times, and he couldn't just let people die.
"Thank you, Clark. For trusting me with your secret. I still love you. And I'm not mad. Just crazy. Crazy for you."
THE END
Fly me to the Moon Copyright 1991 EMI Records, Ltd.
(crazily.txt)