By Samantha Spawley
Summary: A distraught Lois beats on Clark's door at 4 o'clock in the morning, looking for a little company but hoping for something more with her partner.
Well, here's my first attempt at fanfic. I got tired of waiting for trearn to clear, so I could read everyone else's stories! Hope you like it. Comments to sam, spawley@unlinfo.unl.edu
***
It was 4 a.m. and Clark woke suddenly to the sound of pounding on his front door. That could be no one else but Lois. He groaned. Why couldn't she discover new and exciting stories at lunch time?
Clark roused himself slowly, all the time aware of the pounding that continued on his door. Slipping his glasses onto his face, and throwing a shirt over his naked chest, he opened the door to see an agitated Lois Lane.
"Lois, what are you doing here? Do you know what time it is?"
"I'm sorry, Clark," she said, "but I just couldn't stand being alone in my apartment anymore, besides, all my Rocky Road is gone. Can I have some of yours?"
Oh, oh. Clark knew something was desperately wrong in Lois's life if she came all the way over for some Rocky Road. "Do you want to tell me what's wrong, Lois?"
"Wrong, Clark?", she asked, "Why should there be anything wrong? Can't a friend drop by without there being something wrong? I just wanted some company, that's all. Plus, I was hungry … " She stopped, her voice faltering at the poor excuse.
"Cut it out, Lois. Talk to me, you can tell me anything, you should know that by now. Come on, let's sit down and you can tell me all about it, O.K.?" They made their way over to the couch, where Clark helped settle Lois, and then went to get her some ice cream, just in case. He came back with the dessert, and handing it to Lois, he sat down next to her on the couch. He could see here in the light that she had been crying.
"Lois, tell me what's wrong."
"Ohhhhh, Claarrkk. I don't know. I'm confused. I feel like my world is crashing down on me. Everything is changing, and I don't know what to do anymore."
"What's changing, Lois?" Clark asked quietly.
"Well, last night, for example, Lucy called me, and she's … she's getting MARRIED!" Lois wailed. " I know I should be happy for her, but, Clark, she's my YOUNGER sister, I should be the one who's getting married! And yet, here she is, just out of school, and she finds the man of her dreams. Where's my dream man? I'll tell you where- he's flying around who knows where, popping up and leaving when I least expect it. And don't start on the "You're a woman of the '90s" kick, "you don't need a man to be happy", I've done that for too long! I should be able to have a family and a career! What's wrong with wanting someone to love, who will love me back?"
"Nothing at all, Lois, it's what everyone wants." Clark said gently, thinking to himself, "it sure is what I want, I just wish Lois would realize her "dream man" was right under her nose."
Lois gave a sniff and wiped her eyes. "Thanks, Clark. Really, thanks for letting me cry on your shoulder once again. You're always there for me. You know that you're my best friend. I can't imagine what I would do without you."
Clark gave a little smile, best friend, huh? Would she ever feel more than that for him?
"No problem, Lois. My shoulder is always available for you. Do you want to watch a movie while you finish your ice cream, or do you want to talk some more?" He asked.
"No movie, thanks, can you bear a little more conversation?" Lois asked. "Cause I need to ask you a few questions about Superman."
"Oh, great" Clark thought, "more Superman worship", but he was in for a surprise, when Lois said,
"I'm not sure how I feel about him anymore. I mean, I used to think I loved him, but now, I wonder … was I putting him up on a pedestal, where he looked great, but posed no real threat to my emotional state? If I worshipped this wonderful, but unreachable guy, how could I get hurt? Because, Clark, I've just been hurt too many times. Superman is perfect, but what do I really know about him? I know he's a hero, I know he's an alien, but where does he live? What is his favourite food, or colour? Where did he grow up, what movies does he like? It's not like it is with you, Clark, you're an open book to me, I know all there is to know about you."
"Oh, you think so, do you?" Clark said sardonically. If she only knew!
Lois snuggled up against Clark on the couch, and looked into his eyes.
"Sure, Clark, you're kind and gentle, yet you have a strong moral outlook, and you are not afraid to stand up for your beliefs. And you're always ready to help, me or a stranger. You could say that you are an earth-bound superman, in your own right."
Clark closed his eyes, inwardly groaning and laughing at the same time. He didn't know whether to be hurt or amused by Lois's comments. He wanted to tell her about Superman, but would now be the right time? Probably not, she was too vulnerable right now. Besides, he wanted her to love him as Clark, before he told her about Superman. Telling her now, he would never be sure if she really loved him for himself, or for his alter ego.
"Clark, are you listening to me?" Lois was looking at him quizzically.
"Sorry, Lois, my mind was wandering" he said.
"Augh, Clark, don't you ever listen when I'm telling you about us?"
"US?" Clark asked in amazement, "What us?"
"That maybe there should be an us." Lois said quietly.
"What?" Clark said, his heart racing.
"Why do you think I've been telling you all this stuff about Superman, why do you think I come running to you every time I have a crisis in my life? Lucy was just the last straw, the excuse I need to make me come over tonight." Lois said. "I've thought about it at great length, believe me, especially since you got shot, and I thought I had lost you forever."
"Lois … " Clark began,
"Clark, shut up, let me finish before I lose my nerve. I tried to tell you that night on the way home, but you fell asleep, you jerk! I think that there may be more between us that just friendship. Remember Christmas Eve? We were so close, you came to my rescue once again, and we had such a great time, just the two of us, it felt so right, Clark." Lois stopped speaking and just looked to Clark for his reaction to her revelation.
Clark was stunned. This is what he had waited so long to hear. And now it was really happening. She was so beautiful, gazing up at him, waiting for his reply.
"It was a very special night for me too, Lois. It was the best Christmas Eve I've ever had, because I was with you. I've wanted to tell you for so long how I felt, but I was scared, after you told me you loved me like a brother, but no more, when you were going to marry Lex. So, I took back what I said, I lied, Lois. I really do love you, with all my heart, I have since I first met you" he said.
"Oh, Clark" Lois whispered, and moved towards him. Their lips met, and it was as wonderful as both of them had imagined it would be.
A long while later, they were still on the couch, locked together in sleep. Lois stirred, remembering where she was, a smile flitted across her face. She lifted her head and gazed at Clark, who was still sound asleep. He looked so sweet, he still had his glasses on. She thought she would help him get more comfortable, and reached over and removed his glasses.
She stared. How could she be so blind? All this time …all that talk about Superman, and here he was, lying next to her … Clark.
Clark opened his eyes and saw Lois looking intently at him, holding his glasses in her hands. He smiled slowly, the right time had finally come …
THE END
(revel.txt)