Kryptonite

By queequag72 <marcibb@home.com>

Rated PG

Submitted September 2000

Summary:

When I first heard this song, immediately I thought about the premise of this story. "Kryptonite" is performed by "3 doors down." None of these characters are mine, yadda, yadda, yadda. Warning! This is a total WAFF fic. Thank you also to Labrat for the editing.

***

I took a walk around the world to ease my troubled mind. I left my body laying somewhere in the sands of time. I watched the world float to the dark side of the moon. I feel there's nothing I can do. I watched the world float to the dark side of the moon. After all I knew it had to be something to do with you. I really don't mind what happens now and then. As long as you'll be my friend at the end. If I go crazy, will you still call me Superman? If I'm alive and well will you be there holding my hand? I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might. Kryptonite

You call me strong, you call me weak, but still your secrets I will keep. You took for granted all the times I never let you down. You stumbled in and bumped your head, if not for me then you would be dead. I picked you up and put you back on solid ground. If I go crazy, will you still call me Superman? If I'm alive and well will you be there holding my hand? I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might. Kryptonite

***

Punching his fist into the air, Clark flew into the clouds. His heart was crushed and his head was spinning. Nothing could console him tonight, except maybe the comfort of flying. Flying away from pain seemed like a perfect solution at the moment since there was nothing else he could do. He found a nice perch to sit on the moon and thought about how barren and cold the moon was.

It was the same emptiness that he felt within his soul. He was sure that, between the rejection from Superman and their argument at Perry's retirement party, Lois would be running straight to Lex tonight to accept his proposal. He wasn't sure what was worse — Lois marrying Lex, or the demise of their friendship. He missed working with her and he missed her intelligence and drive, the two things that made her a great reporter. Most of all, he missed being near her. This pain was far worse than Kryptonite. Lois was the world to him and it seemed as if a dark, evil cloud was taking his world away from him.

***

Lois felt sick to her stomach. Her throat felt constricted and her face muscles were tense from a combination of anger and pain. Her jaw was clenched — a reflex to stop her heart from coming up into her throat. Tears threatened to flood her eyes, but were held back by focusing on the computer screen in front of her. She would throw her grandmother's antique vase across the room if she didn't keep her hands on the keyboard in front of her.

Her fingers flew across the keys, and vented the frustration that boiled from her toes.

No one had gotten in her way when she'd left Perry's retirement party tonight for fear of getting their head bitten off by "mad dog" Lane. She felt horrible for arguing with Clark over Lex, spoiling the fun of those around them.

Still, she'd felt a sadness towards Clark, rather than anger, when she'd gotten into the limo that Lex had sent for her. He had refused the ride — just to prove his point — and walked home. She couldn't believe his lack of happiness for her, whether it be for Lex's proposal or her new job at LNN. What kind of a friend was he? What nerve he had to tell her that she was gloating!

Lois stopped typing and leaned back on her chair, pushing away from the desk. Slowly, her head turned and she looked towards her open window.

And then there was Superman: as much as it hurt to be rejected by Superman, it hurt more to be angry at Clark. She looked at the phone and contemplated giving him a call. If he really cared about me, he'd let me be happy. She remembered telling him that at the restaurant. A knot twisted in her stomach; was that what she had told him? No, she'd said that she wanted Clark to help her be happy. Clark did make her happy. He had been there for her a lot in the past year and she didn't remember investigative reporting being so rewarding as it was with her partner at the Planet. He was a pillar of strength for her and he was her best friend. Still, he didn't help her be happy about Lex.

***

Clark left the moon and flew high above Metropolis, looking down at the city lights.

Even from that distance, he could see that Lois' apartment light was on. Was she home alone or was Lex with her? He cringed at the thought of flying by and seeing the two of them sharing a romantic moment.

He looked a bit more closely and, from what he could tell, she was alone.

***

She got up from her chair and walked towards the window. She felt a familiar breeze and heard a familiar swoosh, but she couldn't get a visual of the man in blue. Shuffling along in her bunny slippers, she walked towards her refrigerator in search of her recently purchased Ben & Jerry's chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream only to be interrupted by a knock at the door.

***

Clark flew down and changed quickly, behind Lois' apartment. He was determined to talk to her rationally about Lex and his proposal and how it bothered him and apologize for the argument earlier. As he headed up the stairs he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Lex entering her apartment. He let out a sigh and leaned against the wall.

***

Inside the apartment, Lois apologized for her appearance to Lex and started to explain to him that she hadn't been expecting company. He proceeded to tell her that he had to see her tonight. She excused herself for a moment and quickly changed into jeans and a t-shirt. She could tell by the way Lex looked her up and down that he wasn't impressed with her pyjama shorts and tank top and was appalled to see her in the bunny slippers.

When she came out, she saw him opening up a bottle of wine. Clark had bought her that wine for New Year's and she'd been saving it for a special occasion.

***

In the hallway, Clark gasped at the sight of Lex opening up the bottle of wine that he had given Lois. He knew she'd been saving it for a special occasion, and he had always thought they would share it together. He knew that he shouldn't be spying on them, but he'd been curious when he'd heard her say that she was going to change her clothes.

He thought that was odd, for a couple to be awkward with each other's appearance, especially when they were on the cusp of getting married. Clark thought back to the numerous times he had seen Lois in her pyjamas and she didn't make a big fuss about it. Perhaps they were leaving, that must be why she had to change.

***

Lex remarked on the fullness of the wine in his mouth and how much he enjoyed it. Lois seized the opportunity and told him that Clark had bought it for her. He didn't say anything, but she noticed that he never took another taste after that.

She still had a craving for the ice cream, so she asked Lex if he would like some. He went on and on about how he was on a non-dairy diet and how he ate only organic foods. She rolled her eyes and decided against the ice cream.

He asked her if she would like to go on a flight to Paris that night and since she had the weekend off, there would be no need for them to hurry back. At the mention of flying, Lois' thoughts went to Superman and how she would love to go on a night flight to Paris with him.

She came to her senses and declined Lex's offer, stating that she wanted to stay home that weekend, but she didn't say why. If Lex knew that she wanted to spend some time with Clark this weekend, he would probably be upset. She didn't get to spend much time with her friends anymore. Between working at LNN and Lex's dates, she didn't have much time for anything or anyone else.

***

Clark couldn't believe what he'd just heard. Why am I the only one who sees what a mismatched couple they are? He groaned when Lex offered the night flight to Paris. Clark really wanted to talk to her tonight.

All of a sudden, he heard the shrill of a car alarm in his ears. He missed the last bit of Lex and Lois' conversation, and sped to the stairwell when he heard her door open. He used his x-ray vision to see what was going on.

Lex dipped his head down and kissed Lois lightly on the hand and said that he would wait for her. After that, he left the building.

Clark followed Lex to his limo outside. He listened in on Lex's phone conversation and cursed himself for listening in. Lex was arranging for Nigel to get a prostitute or two from Hob's Street to meet him in his penthouse in half an hour.

***

Lois put her evening attire back on after Lex left. She made a beeline for the fridge and got the ice cream she wanted so badly and sat on the couch. She pondered over what movie she should watch.

***

Clark went back into Lois' building with a new determination. He had to somehow let Lois know that Lex was evil and that he wasn't even faithful to his girlfriend…possibly soon to be wife. Would she listen?

***

Lois answered the door for the second time that evening and flung her arms around Clark's shoulders.

"Clark, I'm so sorry for arguing with you at the party, I just wanted you to help me be happy and I realize…"

"Lois, it's okay, I felt horrible for leaving like I did, too. I just want you to know that Lex…"

"I don't think I'm going to be seeing much of Lex anymore."

Clark was surprised by this new information and hugged her tightly.

"Are you okay about that, Lois? I know how you admire the man and…"

"Clark, I just think I need some time away from Lex for a while. I need to get things settled with you and, to tell you the truth, I don't really like my job at LNN and I want things to be the way they were at the Planet."

Those words were accentuated by the tears that were now flowing freely down Lois' cheeks. She felt so comforted in Clark's arms and it seemed like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

"Do you want me to call you tomorrow and we can do something?" Clark asked as he wiped her tears away with his thumbs.

"Can you stay?"

Clark's heart skipped a beat at the question.

"Sure. Do you want to watch a movie or something?"

"Yeah, that would be nice."

Clark took off his jacket and flung it over the chair. He watched her go through her movies.

"Hey, do you want to watch 'Grease'? Or there's 'Grease 2'…that's the one where she only likes the man when he's disguised as the cool rider on the bike and won't give the guy the time of day when he's just a regular guy," Lois explained.

Clark chuckled at the similarities between that movie and their own situation.

"So, what happens in the end?" he hid his smile as he asked.

"Oh, well everything works out, she figures out who he really is, and they live happily every after."

"She's not mad?"

"About what?"

"Well, he lied to her…"

"But that was only because he wanted to be accepted into the T- Birds so that he could date the girl, one of the Pink Ladies," she retorted.

"She wouldn't have dated him otherwise?"

"Clark," Lois was starting to wonder why they didn't just watch it rather than have her explain the movie to him, "those were the rules."

"Oh." Clark paused and then chose his tone wisely. "What are your rules?"

"What?"

"What are your rules?"

"For dating?"

"Yeah, for dating. What are your turn-ons, turn offs, what do you want from a relationship- what are your rules?" he asked again.

"Well.." Lois was about to say something and then it dawned on her that just tonight, Lex had broken some of her so-called rules. She didn't really want to answer Clark's question.

Clark sensed that she didn't want to say anything and he really didn't want to push her. He just wanted to spend some time with his friend, that was more important than finding out.

"It's okay, Lois, I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that." Clark motioned to the spot on the couch beside him. "Let's just watch the movie."

"Clark, why don't you like Lex?" Lois asked, taking Clark off guard.

Clark wanted to fly away that very moment, but he made himself stay and answer the question. He straightened up on the couch and cleared his throat.

"I think he's behind a lot of the crime in Metropolis and also linked to the explosion at the Planet."

"No way, Clark, I just refuse to believe it! You're just jealous! That's it, you're telling me this because you're jealous of me with Lex and…" she stopped her rampage and crossed her arms. "Do you have any proof?"

"No…Superman is working on that."

Lois paced around her living room in front of Clark. She couldn't believe what he was saying. Clark broke the silence.

"Lois, maybe I am jealous. I care about you a lot and it does seem that the more involved you are with Lex, the less I see you and…I miss you."

She stopped and looked at him with that last bit.

"I miss you too, Clark, and of course we don't see as much of each other anymore — we're not working together! I don't want my relationship with Lex to ruin our friendship-"

"It already has."

Clark stared deep into her eyes. He wanted her to come out of the dark and see Lex for who he really was. He also wanted to tell her that he loved her, but tonight wasn't going to be the night.

Lois went into the kitchen in search of her ice cream. Earlier, she had told Lex that she needed even more time to think of his proposal and now Clark was telling her that he might be one of the biggest crime lords in the city. Everything was so complicated, and she just didn't feel like dealing with any of it.

"I think I should leave," Clark's voice was almost a whisper. He knew that he had said too much for her to handle and he didn't want her to be even madder at him. He just wanted what they'd had and it didn't look like that was going to happen anytime soon.

As if she could read his mind, she put down her ice cream and walked slowly towards him. He wasn't sure if she was going to blow up at him or hug him. She did neither and reached for his hand. Clark was sure that he never sweated,but her touch made him feverish.

"Clark, how can we get back what we had?"

"Well," Clark began, "you can help me, Jimmy, Perry and Jack do some investigating. The only problem being…Lex."

"Clark, it is hard to believe that Lex is behind all of this, but if this is what I have to do to keep our friendship…"

"Lois, I will always be there for you, you know that. Planet or no Planet, I would fly to the moon and back for you."

Lois fought back tears. She couldn't believe how caring and warm Clark Kent was. Nothing would be better than this. Lex would never have anything on this farm boy. What was she thinking?

She reached up to the back of Clark's head and ran her fingers through his hair. Clark thought his heart was going to burst. What was she doing?

"I love you, Clark."

***

Lois' stomach was doing flip-flops. Her throat was dry and her facial muscles hadn't moved, from the permanent smile on her face. Tears of joy were flooding her eyes, and they fell onto the stuffed toy that Clark had won for her at the Corn Festival. She hugged it close to her and hoped that she would have nice dreams tonight of her new love.

***

Punching his fist into the air, Clark flew into the clouds. His heart was pumping in into overdrive and his head was spinning. Nothing could compare to the feeling he was experiencing tonight, except maybe the joy of flying. Flying high into the atmosphere seemed like a perfect thing to do at the moment since it reflected his happiness. He found his previous perch on the moon and wrote into the moon dust, as a teenager in love would do. In big letters he wrote: "CK +LL — forever" and drew a heart around it.

THE END