By Jana Lippe (Jana.Lippe@huntcol.edu)
Summary: Guests at Clark's surprise birthday party refuse to take the hint that what he really wants is to be alone with Lois. An alternate ending to the episode "AKA Superman."
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is my second alt-ending to AKA Superman—that by no way means that I was less than satisfied with the ending!! I just got some ideas in my head, so I thought I'd write them down. It is important to watch at least the final scene of "AKA Superman" to truly appreciate this story! It picks up during that final scene, when Lois & Clark are on the floor and the lights flip on__.
***
"Surprise!" A chorus of voices shouted as the living room light flipped on. Lois gasped in horror as Clark acted quickly, wrapping his arms around her to shield her from view of the party guests, and quickly lifted her to her feet. They both hurriedly straightened their clothes as they looked nervously around the room, unable to meet eyes with any of the numerous friends who had gathered. Lois quickly buttoned up her blouse as Perry stepped forward.
"I figured the only way to surprise you with a party, Clark, was to surprise the both of you!" Perry said brightly, seeming oblivious to the fact that a moment before the couple was in the midst of a heated moment of passion. "So tell me … did it work? Are you surprised?" Perry asked excitedly, his face glowing proudly. Clark felt his cheeks grow hot.
"Yeah," he sighed with an embarrassed and disappointed smile. He had been *quite* looking forward to an evening alone with his wife. Lois stared ahead, smoothing back her hair.
"Stunned," she managed to say as, like Clark, embarrassment and disappointment overrode her ability to control the situation with her words. She pressed her lips together and glanced up at Clark and then towards the floor, unable to meet Perry's face.
"Happy Birthday, CK," Jimmy said happily, slapping Clark on the back. "I'll bet you thought we all were going to let your birthday go without making a fuss and embarrassing you, huh?" Clark opened his mouth to speak but found himself at a loss for words.
"Uh, yeah, well things were kind of crazy today. Lois says Superman took care of that guy who trapped her and Penny in that soundproof room. Sounds like things are cooled down for now." He managed to say. Jimmy gave Clark a knowing smile.
"Looks to me like things are heating back up," he said with a wink. Clark turned bright red. Lois suddenly linked her arm through Clark's.
"Honey, can I talk to you for minute?" she asked quietly. Clark nodded and led her into the empty kitchen. Once the door swung shut, Lois came unraveled. "Oh, my god, Clark! What are we going to do?" she screeched, throwing her hands up into the air. Clark tried to settle her.
"Calm down, honey. What are we going to do about *what*, exactly?" he asked. Lois' eyes widened.
"Clark! You *know* what!" she cried. "The big surprise we just gave to our friends! They were politely waiting for us to come home and give you a party, but what happens? We shock the heck out of them by practically breaking down the door, stripping one another down right in front of their eyes! How in the world are we supposed to face them?" Clark couldn't help but smile at her flightiness as he placed his strong hands on her soft shoulders.
"Honey, it's okay. I know it was a little embarrassing, but … " he began.
"A *little* embarrassing!? Clark, I am humiliated! Mortified!" she cried.
"Sweetheart, calm down … was it really so terrible that those people know how much we love one another?" Clark asked, tenderly placing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. Lois let a small smile escape from her lips.
"Well … I guess not … " she pouted. "But did it have to be so … *dramatic*?" she laughed lightly. "I guess you got your big birthday bash after all," she smiled, encircling his neck with her soft hands.
"I'm looking forward to the *real* celebration later," he said softly, nuzzling her neck with his lips. The kitchen door suddenly banged open as Jimmy barreled into the room.
"Cake time!" he announced. Lois and Clark sprang apart.
"Jimmy!" Lois cried.
"Jimmy, don't you ever learn?" Clark accused him playfully. Jimmy grinned mischievously.
"I've been interrupting you guys for two years … why stop now?" he said with a wink. "Anyway … the cake's ready. Did you two want to join your guests or are you just going to have a private party here in the kitchen?" he asked innocently. Lois rolled her eyes and linked arms with Clark.
"We're coming," she said reluctantly with a smile towards her husband. They followed Jimmy back into the living room, where the party guests were gathered around a huge white sheet cake. Carla, one of the women from Research, lit the candles as everyone began to sing. Clark squeezed Lois' hand and laughed lightly all during the surprisingly good rendition of `Happy Birthday'. Lois made a mental note to show him later the way the song was *meant* to be sung to the birthday boy. As the song ended, he leaned over and began blowing out the candles, remembering just in time to control his Super Breath … the guests would not be amused if they had to eat frozen cake. Linda, another woman from Research, helped Carla cut and serve the cake while Jimmy led Clark to his place on the sofa. The coffee table before him was piled high with gifts.
"Dig in, CK!" Jimmy said, taking a seat on the arm of the sofa. Lois sat down next to Clark, careful to keep a respectable distance, despite her growing desires. She, like Clark, was just dying for the party to dissolve and for every last guest to disappear. **I wish I could do this at super- speed**, Clark thought as he tore the wrapping off the first gift. Lois sensed his frustration and impatience, since it was mingled with her own thoughts and feelings. They were both eager to catch up on what had been missing in their marriage for nearly 9 long days.
Two very long hours later, the last guest walked out the door. Clark closed the door behind him and turned with a sigh. Lois was sitting anxiously on the couch. She rose to meet his gaze and seemed to float right into his embrace.
"Are we alone … really alone … at last?" she whispered into his ear. Clark raised his head and focused his attention onto his super-hearing for a moment. "Nothing but silence … and us … " he grinned. She slid her arms around his soft neck and met his lips in a passionate kiss. "Mmmm_." He moaned softly. "I've said it before, but this has most definitely been the one of my more interesting birthdays," he said against the sweet skin of her throat.
"Yeah … " she let out a soft giggle as he layered kisses on her neck. "You got all kinds of action today, didn't you?" she said seductively. Clark scooped her into his powerful arms and gazed lovingly into her eyes.
"I'm hoping the `action' part of my birthday isn't over for quite some time yet," he said softly, tempting her response. She smiled up at him and patted his cheek.
"Oh, I have a feeling there's *plenty* more to come!"
THE END
(really.txt)