Wine and Circumstance

By Mozartmaid [mozartmaid@gmail.com]

Rated PG

Submitted September 2010

Summary: Superman runs afoul of red Kryptonite and somehow ends
up marrying Lois in Vegas! Lois doesn't know his identity,
though Superman had used Clark Kent's name in the wedding. Will
Lois learn the truth? And can their relationship be salvaged in
the aftermath?

Some dialogue taken from Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of
Superman, Season 2, episode 22, "And the Answer is..." written
by Tony Blake & Paul Jackson.

Thanks to Deja Vu for being my GE on this story and putting in so
much time and effort to make it a smoother read. I appreciate it
very much!

***

"Unbelievable!" Lois cried angrily. Again! It happened again!
Just when she was starting to open up to Clark, he got all
freaked out and dashed off with another lame excuse.

They were on an actual date, for a change. On a proper Friday
night, the official date night, no less. The evening had been
lovely. They'd had a beautiful meal at a tiny French bistro
tucked into an out-of-the-way neighborhood. Lois had no idea how
Clark had found it, but she had relished every moment. The
restaurant was intimate, with small round tables all lit by
candlelight, and the menu was written in French. Clark had
impressed her with his easy fluency with the language. The
waiters all spoke English, of course, but she loved hearing
Clark's French as he ordered her the duck.

They had talked for almost two hours, eating a perfect
three-course meal with a French vintage red wine. And just when
Lois was going to tell him those three scary words, "I love
you," he left like his seat was on fire.

"I'm sick of it! Why do I let him do this to me?" She felt
tears well up in her eyes. She knew why, and she felt pathetic
about it. She loved him. It was that simple. Lois loved Clark.

She dried her eyes. Would he even be back to cover the bill? Lois
looked around, red faced. How humiliating was it to be left by
her date at a gorgeous restaurant and have to face the exorbitant
bill alone?

She waved the waiter over, totally embarrassed.

"Oui, mademoiselle?" he asked politely.

"Yeah, oui... um, my date had to... leave. May I have the bill,
please?"

"But of course. Un moment, s'il vous plaît."

She didn't even look at the amount. She just handed her
emergency credit card over. She wanted to get out of there--to go
home and forget this almost-perfect night had ever happened.

***

Clark couldn't believe he had left Lois in the lurch like that.
She would never forgive him. But a train was derailed due to some
ice on the tracks. Hundreds of people were on board. He couldn't
just let them all die. Superman was absolutely needed.

He managed to save the train from toppling over, though there
were bound to be some injured people on board. Clark scanned the
cars, looking for any serious injuries. There were dozens of
people hurt. He began the task of helping them out of the cars
and flying them to the nearest hospital. Upon his first arrival,
the medics called several ambulances to the scene.

It took quite a while to rescue all the injured. The last rescue
was an elderly lady with a broken hip. The medics couldn't get
to her, but Clark could. He offered to fly her personally to the
hospital.

As soon as they were airborne, Clark felt funny. It wasn't
Kryptonite funny, but he felt looser, relaxed. He almost didn't
care about getting the woman to the hospital. All he could think
about was getting back to Lois. His vision became blurry, though
his flying wasn't affected. He shook his head to try and clear
the odd sensation.

At last, they landed at the hospital. The old woman thanked him,
and it was then that he noticed something. She was wearing a ring
that had a strange red stone that cast an odd glow. Clark
analyzed it and determined that it was Kryptonite. But *red*
Kyrptonite? He'd never seen it before. At least it didn't
really effect him. Did it?

***

Clark made his way back to the restaurant, but his fears were
confirmed. Of course Lois hadn't waited. Why would she? He asked
if she had paid for the meal, and the maître d' told him of
course, looking down his long French nose at him, obviously
despising him for his cad-like behavior of leaving his date.
Clark apologized and asked him to cancel her payment and to
please let him pay. The maître d' smiled and fixed the payment.

"But I'd be careful if I were you, monsieur. I doubt she'll
want to talk to you anytime soon."

***

She had somehow made it home. Her dignity and her heart were in
shreds, but she had made it to her door.

As soon as she shut it, she let herself fall apart; tears would
not stop falling. She felt so dejected and humiliated. She knew
she was wallowing, but she just couldn't stop.

How many times could he run out on her like that? How many times
before it became an insult to their relationship, to her? What
was so important or so scary that he couldn't sit through an
entire date with her?

All the doubts she ever had about her inadequacies crept up. All
the taunting things Dan Scardino had said about Clark's
disappearing act came back to her in full force. Was she really
not that important to him? Or was she really that awful to be
around? That was the scariest thought. That she just wasn't
lovable. That she was too hard, too demanding, for anyone to love
her.

She shrugged off her coat and unzipped her dress, letting it fall
to the floor in a heap of expensive fabric. Lois put on her
sweats, telling herself it didn't matter what she looked like.
Clark wouldn't dare show his face here, not tonight. And she
wouldn't let him in even if he did. She just didn't want to
deal with it. Didn't want to deal with the apologies or the
cryptic remarks about how she just needed to understand, that it
wasn't her. Because she'd give in--she knew she would. She'd
see those chocolate brown eyes and melt inevitably. Chocolate was
her weakness, after all. And if he touched her... God. It would
be over. She'd follow him to the ends of the earth. And a
kiss... well, she knew where this was going, and it all would
just end in disaster. One way or another. Either he'd break her
heart, or she'd eventually screw it up anyway. So... let him be
the one to make a mess of it all. Let her stay mad at him. She
didn't need him here to break down her walls and make her feel
like a fool for just not understanding him.

Lois opened a bottle of wine and prepared to settle in for a pity
party, complete with "Ivory Tower" reruns. She climbed into bed
and saw the black and white teddy bear, sitting all cute on its
pillow, completely innocent to the crimes of its giver.

"I never want to see Clark Kent again!" she screamed at the
teddy bear he had given her at the Smallville festival. "I know
it's not your fault, but it certainly is his!" Then she grabbed
the bear and held it tightly, a pathetic replacement for who she
really longed for.

***

Superman was over Lois' apartment, about to land and change into
Clark when he heard her cry of never wanting to see him again. He
still felt dizzy from that odd Kryptonite encounter, but he
desperately needed to try and make things right with Lois. So he
decided to try and be her friend as Superman. Maybe Superman
could ease Clark back into her good graces.

He came to her window and gently knocked.

Lois was a little drunk and was almost asleep. She sat up when
she heard the familiar knock.

[[Oh, God, not Superman. I look awful.]]

But at the same time, she really could use a friend.

She stumbled her way over to the window.

"Hi," she managed.

"May I come in?" he asked.

She nodded, feeling the tears start up again.

Clark landed gently, but stumbled just a bit. Lois didn't
notice.

"Are you all right?" Superman asked, concerned.

She was relieved there was no pressing emergency, for he would
have mentioned it first. He had simply come to see how a friend
was doing. And Lois couldn't resist his kindness. Even though
she had sworn off Superman months ago, he was still a dear
friend. And when she couldn't turn to Clark, Superman always
seemed to be there when she needed him.

She came over to him and threw herself in his arms, bawling her
eyes out.

"Hey, it's OK, Lois. Tell me what's wrong," he said, feeling
like an even worse kind of heel.

"Cl--Clark! He... he doesn't love me! He... he's always
running off--somewhere! Just when things start to go well between
us! I--I don't understand!" she cried into his shoulder.

Clark felt horrible. And it wasn't just what Lois was telling
him. He had a headache and suddenly wanted to sit down. Lois felt
him stumble.

"Superman?" she asked in sudden alarm. "Are *you* OK?"

"I--I just need to sit a second," he said.

She nodded, her tears dry for the moment out of concern for
Superman. She led him to the sofa.

Clark noticed the half-drunk bottle of wine. She really
shouldn't be drinking so much.... Maybe if he had some, it would
keep her from getting any more drunk.

"May I have a glass of wine?" he asked.

She looked at him in surprise. "I didn't know you drank
wine."

"It doesn't have any effect on me. But I like the way it
tastes."

"Sure." She poured him a glass, keeping a wary eye on him. Even
in her distraught state, she could see that something wasn't
right with him.

"Is there something wrong, Superman?"

He took a sip of the offered glass. "Yes... I... well, it's
strange, really. I was rescuing people from a train derailment
just outside of town. And the last woman I rescued had a strange
stone on her ring that gave me an odd feeling."

"Kryptonite?" Lois asked in fear.

"Well, maybe," Clark said, uncertain. "It had most of the
properties of Kyrptonite, but it was red. I only flew with her
for about fifteen minutes, but whatever it is, it left me feeling
odd. I still have all my powers, but I feel... well, maybe how
you feel when you're drunk. Sort of loose and off balance."

Lois smiled. "Well, join my party, then. Here. Have some more
wine."

***

About an hour later, they were laughing over nothing.

Lois and Superman were drunk.

"...I mean, how ridiculous! There I was--in that wonderful
little bistro--looking around like, 'Um, yeah, and where's my
date?'" Lois laughed, hysterical.

"I can't believe he did that to you!" Superman fell to his
side, laughing.

They were on their second bottle of wine. Clark had never been
drunk, ever. And he didn't know if it was the red Kryptonite or
the wine, but he felt dizzy and warm all over. And he had Lois in
stitches over his screwup.

Lois finally caught her breath.

"Wow, I never thought we'd be rolling on the floor, laughing
together, Superman! Are you sure you're OK?"

He put his hand to his forehead, still feeling the room swim, but
sort of enjoying the situation at the same time. "Yeah. I don't
think the red Kryptonite effects will be permanent, but I'm
enjoying feeling drunk. It gets awfully boring being perfect all
the time," he said, feeling the laughter creep up again.

"I bet! Here, Flyboy. Have another glass. Why not?" Lois said,
pouring both her and Superman the rest of the second bottle.

"This is almost as fun as it would be with Clark! He doesn't
really get drunk, though," Lois said thoughtfully.

"Is Clark a fun guy?" he asked, hiccup-laughing between sips.

"Yeah, he can be. But this habit of his, leaving at random
moments... I mean, who *does* that? I don't want to think he's
loony tunes, but maybe he is."

"Clark would have to be crazy to run out on you," he said, and
then he sobered a moment as he realized what had just come out of
his mouth. He couldn't think straight. But he knew he had come
over to try and put things right with Lois and Clark, not to
drive more distance between them.

"I think he's scared of me. Of us. I don't know what else it
could be," said Lois. Superman had slipped to the floor by the
couch, and she let herself fall down to the floor next to him.

"But it's great that you're here. Drinking alone sucks!" she
said, clinking Superman's glass.

"Hey, would you go flying with me?" he asked suddenly.

"Flying drunk? That could be fun. Promise not to drop me?" she
said, practically falling in his lap as she tapped his chest.

"I could never drop you," he said, momentarily sober. He could
feel her breath on his neck. He couldn't take his eyes off her
lips. It would be so easy to--

Lois stood up, offering a hand up to Superman.

"Come on. Let's go flying!" she said brightly.

"At least we know we won't be pulled over for a DUI," he
laughed, taking her in his arms.

As they headed to the window, Lois grabbed her third bottle of
wine. Just in case.

***

They headed west. Both were swimming in alcohol. Lois couldn't
stop giggling, and Clark just tried to fly straight. He took the
third bottle of wine out of her hands and popped the cork with
one hand.

"Another sip, m'lady?" he asked, taking a swig himself.

"Sure, why not?"

They headed out of the city. About ten minutes into the flight,
Clark realized he was on autopilot, heading for Smallville. But
he knew he couldn't stop there. There would be too many
questions about Superman's easy access to Clark's parents'
house, not to mention the embarrassment that would ensue if he
faced his parents in his current state. No, he'd keep flying
past Kansas.

Lois dozed in his arms; meanwhile, Clark kept drinking the wine.
His thoughts were fuzzy. All he could think was how nice it was
to hold Lois. How nice it was to be drunk! To be loose for a
change! He felt so free! He wanted to do a loop-the-loop, but he
thought better of it due to his state and the fact that he was
holding Lois. He might get more than he bargained for.

About forty-five minutes later, they came to a city in the middle
of the desert.

Clark nudged Lois awake. "We're here."

She groaned as she opened her eyes. "Where are we?"

"I think Las Vegas," he said in some surprise.

She giggled. "We should get married. That would really show
Clark," she said, reaching for the bottle of wine. There was
about a glassful left....

"Yeah? Why not? Let's do it. Lois Lane, will you marry me?"
Clark grinned. He wasn't thinking straight. All he knew was he
loved Lois Lane. Here she was in his arms, and they were in
Vegas!

She drank the last bit of wine and then wrapped her arms around
his neck. "You betcha!"

***

It was too easy. The chapel attendant didn't even look twice at
Superman marrying Lois. They got all kinds coming through there.
And every now and then someone would come dressed up as
something. So big deal. The guy thought he was Superman.

There was just one moment of truth, when the registrar asked for
his name. Superman had looked directly at Lois and had said,
sober, "Clark Kent."

Lois laughed out loud. "Good one!" And then he had joined in on
her laughter, completely terrified to do anything else.

"Joke's on Clark!" she giggled.

The ceremony was short. Lois had a moment's hesitation before
the vows, but she couldn't focus on why. They used Clark's name
in the ceremony, and all Lois could do was giggle.

"I take thee, Clark, to be my lawful wedded husband, to have and
to hold till death us do part," she said, surprised the words
came so easily for her in her state. She couldn't help giggling
at the end. This was all a game, a joke. One that would get Clark
back for all the hurt he put her through. Married to Superman,
ha! Take that, Clark!

Clark knew he should say something to stop this madness. But he
couldn't bring himself to do it. He was marrying Lois, as Clark
Kent, no less. Though, of course, she didn't know she was really
marrying Clark Kent. He should be bothered by it. But she looked
so beautiful saying those vows.

They leaned in for the kiss at the end. They mostly tasted wine,
but Lois felt her knees give way just the same. She didn't know
what had affected her more. Clark scooped her up, and they headed
out of the chapel to the hotel that had been prearranged for
them.

"You can pay me back later, Superman. I got this one." Lois
still had her emergency credit card. It was probably at its
limit, but she didn't care.

"And what name are you registered under?" asked the clerk.

Lois, hanging onto Superman out of the fear that she'd fall,
giggled. "Kent. Mr. and Mrs. Clark Kent!"

They got to the suite, still in a fit of laughter.

"Mrs. Superman!" she giggled. She circled her arms around him.
Then she whispered, "I'm Mrs... you. Wh--what's your name,
anyway?"

Both of their heads were swimming. They were forehead to
forehead. "I told you my name," he whispered. Then he leaned in
to kiss her. She gave herself into the kiss. [[He feels so like
Clark when he kisses me,]] she thought to herself, hoping the
tears that threatened didn't overflow. Who'd have ever thought
that she'd feel like Superman was the consolation prize?

"I love you, Lois," he said, and they fell onto the bed.

The room spun. They laid there, holding each other. And then fell
promptly asleep.

***

Clark woke up with a splitting headache. He had never *ever* been
hungover, and he was certain it was the worst feeling in the
world. He stood up to go the bathroom and thought he'd fall over
from being so dizzy. [[Maybe it's the red Kryptonite still?]] he
wondered. Then he remembered all the wine they had drunk the
night before. Maybe the Kryptonite had allowed him to be affected
by wine, and this was just a pure hangover.

He stumbled into the bathroom, surprising himself to see he was
still dressed as Superman. "Oh, no... no... no, no, no! We
didn't...?" He came back into the room. He saw Lois, still in
her sweats from last night, completely crashed out and looking
like she would be for hours yet.

Clark saw a certificate on the nightstand. There it was. The
evidence of their foolhardiness. A certificate of marriage
between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, granted by the State of Nevada.
A joke gone horribly wrong. He snatched the offending certificate
off the nightstand, threw it in a drawer. Maybe it would be
better if Lois didn't see it first thing when she woke up....

Clark sat down on a nearby chair, sighing. [[What did I do to us
now?]] He knew he'd have to tell her the truth, that was for
sure. But, *where* to begin?

He was married to Lois Lane. As Superman. And as Clark Kent. It
should be perfect, but it was a mockery of everything. It was a
mockery of how he really felt about her. "Pretending" to be
Clark? Ridiculous!

It was only about seven in the morning. It was too early to call
his parents for advice. Besides, he was pretty sure he knew what
they'd say. Tell Lois the truth. He scoffed at the imaginary
conversation. "Where would I even start?" he mumbled.

He sighed. First, he'd get a shower, clear his head. Then, he'd
order breakfast and try to tell Lois the truth. And pray that he
wouldn't lose her when she found out.

***

Lois felt the room spin as she sat up. [[I haven't been this
hungover... ever,]] she thought.

She looked around the room. She was in a hotel room? Where...?
She felt panicked. She remembered Superman... and getting
drunk... and... something...

She groaned, the room still spinning as her head hit the pillow
again. Her thoughts wouldn't pool together properly. [[Where am
I? What happened...?]]

"Hey," a voice whispered beside her.

She opened one bleary eye. Superman was standing over her,
looking very concerned. He had a tablet and water in his hand.

"Take this," he offered her quietly.

One eye still locked shut in half sleep, Lois reached for the
medicine. She accidentally slammed the water on the nightstand,
making it slosh onto the wood.

"Oops," she said halfheartedly, her eyes closing again.

"Are you OK?" he asked gently.

She looked up at him again.

"Superman!" she cried, it registering that something wasn't
right here. But she wished she hadn't spoken so loud. Her head
pounded, and her throat was sore. "What ha--happened last
night?" she croaked.

"Get some sleep, Lois. I'll... tell you later."

She nodded, too dizzy and sleepy to argue.

She mumbled something into her pillow and then was asleep again.

***

"You did *what*?" asked Martha over breakfast that morning.

Clark had flown to Smallville while Lois slept to talk to his
parents. He knew they'd be angry, but he also hoped they'd have
a solution for him.

"It was the red Kryptonite, Mom," whined Clark, hating the
sound in his own ears.

"Kryptonite or not, *wine* or not, you lied to Lois and married
her! Clark! I can't believe you did that!"

"Me neither... and I can't believe Lois did it either! I
thought... I thought she loved me."

"She does love you, honey. She was upset. You both are so
foolish!" She shook her head in dismay. "I keep telling you
that you need to tell her the truth! You've been dating a while
now...." She looked up at him, remembering something. "And you
said you married her under your real name? How did that work?"

Clark felt redder than his cape under his mother's scrutiny. "I
was attempting to tell her the truth. I gave my real name to the
registrar, and Lois thought it was a joke! But the good news is
she's married to the real me. If I can get her to forgive
me..." He waved the rest away hopefully. "I know... I'm hoping
for too much."

"You better believe you are. Honey, you need to get back to that
hotel and tell Lois who you are. I don't know what you'll do
about the marriage. That's a whole can of worms you'll have to
deal with on your own, Clark."

***

Lois awoke to an empty room.

Her mouth felt like cotton. She struggled to get up to reach for
the glass of water on the stand. After a few gulps, she dared to
open her eyes wider. She was relieved the curtains were closed.
She didn't think she could face sunshine just yet.

She attempted to sit up, dizzy but in control. Well, maybe. She
wobbled a bit but got herself to the bathroom.

When she came back in, she sat on the bed, trying to remember....
There was something niggling in the back of her mind about last
night. [[Where *am* I?]]

She remembered flying with Superman and bright lights... but
where to...?

Cautiously, she made her way to the curtain. She wasn't sure if
she was more frightened of discovering where they had landed or
of the potential for facing blinding sun on top of the worst
hangover ever.

It turned out both became her worst enemy. Only one city in the
world had a fantasy make-believe skyline like that. And it
wasn't Metropolis. It was Las Vegas.

"What the heck am I doing in Las Vegas?" Then she remembered
her partner in crime.... Her *other* partner in crime... "And
where is Superman?"

As if on cue, he came in the door, wearing full Superman regalia
and carrying orange juice and bagels.

"Good morning," he offered shyly. "Um, I brought you
breakfast."

She nodded, her mind confused. "Why--why are we here?" she
asked, panic rising in her.

"What do you remember about last night?" he asked cautiously.

If she wasn't so tired, so ridiculously hungover, she might have
noticed a few things. First, Superman was being overly solicitous
and was very nervous. He had dropped his super-persona entirely.
He literally was Clark in spandex, and she just didn't see it.
She only knew that something was wrong with the whole situation,
but she had no idea what it was. And second, he held a suspicious
piece of paper that he seemed to not know what to do with.

She sat down at the lovely breakfast table, which was topped with
fresh roses.

That clued her in to one memory. "I remember... dinner with
Clark last night."

He nodded. "Good. That's a start."

"And... you came over...." She suddenly remembered something.
"Are you OK? I mean that red Kryptonite stuff...."

"Yeah, I'm fine... though it did cloud my judgment a bit," he
said wryly. [[That was an understatement.]]

"Oh, and the wine... so much wine..." she said, putting her
hand on her head. "Two bottles, I think?"

"Um, three. We drank three bottles...."

"Oh, God." She fell into her arms on the table. "How did we
end up here?" she spoke into the table.

"Well, it's my fault we're here." He decided to admit that
right off the bat. He would take as much blame as possible to
start. "I decided to take us flying, and, well, I just ended up
a lot farther west than I meant to."

She managed to look at him before burying her nose in the coffee
cup he had offered her. "Did anything happen, though?" she
asked cautiously.

Superman was shifting uncomfortably. She had never seen Superman
so discomfited. It kept reminding her of something, something
just out of reach....

"We... we did do something a bit foolish last night," he
began.

"What?" she asked, terrified. "Please, please, tell me we
didn't--" She gestured with her hand.

[[Well, that could mean any number of things,]] thought Clark.
"We didn't--do anything--physically," he got out.

She sighed. "Well, thank goodness for that."

"But--"

"But? There's a but? Oh, God, this can't be good...."

He reached for her hand. "Remember when I tell you this, that we
did this together and that we'll find our way together."

"OK..." she said, wary of his cryptic statement.

"We... got married."

She laughed. She honestly *laughed*.

"No... no, we didn't. We--" Then, all of a sudden, her face
froze in memory. "Ohmygod. We *did*. We got married!"

She sat staring at him a moment, shocked. Then she stood up,
suddenly angry. "How could you have let this happen, Superman? I
trusted you! How did you let us do something so--"

But she gave up almost a moment later. She realized she was
partly to blame as well, and besides, she just didn't have the
energy or the focus to argue yet; the room was still a bit
spinny. So she sat back down on the bed, not looking at him.
"And what will I tell Clark?" she whispered.

Clark watched her carefully. He sat next to her on the bed and
tried taking her hand.

"Don't--touch me!" she cried. She was too confused with him
near. Superman had always done that to her, but now it was just
too much. "What are we going to do? Can we get an annulment?"
she asked.

He sighed. "Yeah, I think so. But, um, well, there's something
else I have to tell you first."

"Something *else*?" She couldn't believe this. She couldn't
believe she was in *this* situation with Superman! It was so
laughable! A year ago, she would have been thrilled to find
herself accidentally married to Superman. But now--things were
moving ahead for her and Clark. They still had their bumps,
but--how could he ever forgive her for marrying his old rival for
her heart, even if it wasn't entirely on purpose?

"Just tell me quick. Like a band-aid. Rip it off," she said,
determined to hear the worst.

Clark sat there a moment. What exactly should he tell her first?

"Lois--I--I mean we--" Then he heard it. Several cries for
help. This would have to wait. "I have to go, Lois. Just stay
here!"

With a whoosh, he was gone. [[Well, that almost felt familiar,]]
she thought, but then she was distracted by the paper sitting on
the chair that Superman had just vacated.

She reached over for it and then stared, horrified. "Clark Kent
married to Lois Lane," she read aloud. "What?" she cried in
disbelief. "Oh, no..." she moaned, remembering bits of the
ceremony. "This--this *can't* be!" She had begun to imagine
those words someday printed on a certificate, but like this,
married to a superhero, using the name of the man she loved? It
was horrible and terribly, terribly wrong.

She felt tears well up, and her head hurt; she collapsed onto her
pillow. Not only had she married Superman, Clark's old rival for
her affections, but they had made Clark the butt of a joke, using
his name. She would have to tell him everything in order to get
the marriage annulled! It would be so humiliating for both of
them, and she wasn't sure she could face him. Sure, Clark had
his mess-ups and odd behavior, but he had never done anything so
sinister to her before, so mocking of their relationship. He was
never going to forgive her for this--could and should never
forgive her! Of that she was certain.

Lois' head pounded as the tears came down. "How did this
happen? How?" she asked herself over and over again.

She cried herself back to sleep.

***

Clark found her sleeping, lying in the fetal position. The
certificate of marriage was lying under her hand.

He wondered what she had thought when she saw it. Had she
laughed, still mad at Clark for leaving her last night? Or was
she mad at Superman? Either way, she wouldn't be happy with
*him*. They were in a complicated situation in Clark's
estimation. But were they? Really? If he could just tell her the
truth... but she had been lied to for two years. And this last
betrayal... did their relationship have a chance of surviving it,
even if he told her everything? Hadn't he done everything in his
power to drive the wedge between himself and Lois, intentionally
or not?

He thought of changing into Clark and then waking her. It might
make her realize a very crucial detail in this whole situation...
but it might also humiliate her to the point that she would never
speak to him again. He had to tread lightly. That was for sure.

He was really exhausted. There had been some fires in California,
and two families had been trapped in a forest. It had been a
harrowing rescue, complete with a missing four-year-old that he
had found clinging to a tree almost a mile away from his family.
How he had sympathized with that little boy. He felt like a lost
child himself, clinging to anything that might keep him safe from
the fires that raged around him. Only, Clark knew that it was he
who had started the fires in his life; the boy had simply been a
victim of circumstance.

He sat gently on the bed, watching Lois sleep. How had their
world spun so out of control? Along with thinking about asking
her to marry him, he'd been working up the courage for weeks to
tell her the truth. But he never could quite bring himself to do
either. He was never certain which should come first. He wanted
her to know about Superman, but he also had wanted to know that
she'd marry plain old Clark. And now, with the cart before the
horse, so to speak, he had a revelation to deal with and had to
somehow convince her to stay married to him. Because that was
just it, wasn't it? He did love her, more than anything, and he
wanted to marry her. But he had messed up everything last
night... and yet she had also been complicit in it!

She had enjoyed making fun of Clark. She had laughed like crazy
at the idea of marrying "Clark." But... he had also seen
something in her eyes as she had said those vows. She hadn't
really been looking at Superman. He had simply been the
convenient man in the room. He thought she had really wanted to
say those words to Clark. And maybe, after all, that was why he
had let her.

He decided he'd take her back to Metropolis. It was here, in
this fake, overblown town, that he felt more like a clown than
ever. Superman in Vegas was a joke. Just this morning, he had
seen at least three other grooms in Superman get-up. One guy had
even asked where he had rented his costume, because it looked so
"authentic." He shook his head with a laugh in memory.
[[Authentic-looking because it *is* authentic.]] And that had
jarred him enough to realize they had to get out of this fantasy
land. He just couldn't take any more sick jokes about their
situation. Maybe if they went home, he'd be able to think and
work out a way to sort through this.

Clark didn't hesitate further. He scooped up Lois and headed for
the window. He was careful not to wake her, wanting to let her
sleep for as long as absolutely possible.... Partly because he
wasn't ready to face her again, but also because she'd need her
strength to deal with what he would have to eventually tell her.

***

Lois felt cold. Was there a window open?

She could feel arms around her, though. Solid arms. Warm arms.
She snuggled closer. Clark? Hmmm... yeah...

***

Clark was amazed that she slept nearly the whole flight back to
Metropolis. Her implicit trust in him always floored him. It also
made him feel even guiltier because of how he repeatedly betrayed
that trust. How was it the one woman in the world that he wanted
to protect above all was the one woman he kept managing to hurt?

They arrived back at her apartment. She opened her eyes as he
landed inside, the window still open from their midnight flight
into disaster.

"We're back?" she asked, looking around, still feeling a bit
dazed. "Thank goodness. Vegas was just a little too much..."
she said.

"Tell me about it," murmured Clark.

She wandered into the kitchen in the search for some coffee.

Clark just watched her, not certain what his next move should
be.

"Are you OK?" he finally ventured, worry written on his face.

"My head still hurts a little. And I feel groggy from sleeping,
too--" She caught his look. "I'm OK. I just... don't know
what to do. I saw the certificate of--I saw it, Superman. With
Clark's name on it! How could we have done that!? How could you
have *let* them--*us*--do that to him? Aren't you his friend?
Aren't I--" She stopped speaking, not looking at him. She was
just ranting, still tired, still half drunk.

Clark stood there, motionless in his tracks. He couldn't get
words to form. [[Just tell her the truth!]]

She got a glass of water and then finally turned to Superman.
"I'm going to lose him, you know?" she said, tears coming to
her eyes.

He was by her side in two strides and finally found his voice.
"You could never lose Clark, Lois. Surely you know that."

But he could suddenly see, by the frightened look in her eyes,
that she didn't know that.

[[Have I been so careless with my love for you?]] he asked her
silently.

He knew it was now or never. He had to tell her everything.

"Lois, you could never lose Clark because--" He stopped. He
couldn't get the words out. He wanted to say it. [[Just say it,
dammit!]] But would the truth be earnest enough coming from
Superman? Would she believe him? Maybe he did need to do this as
Clark. Maybe it would just have to wait a little longer.

She was waiting expectantly. "Because...?"

He sighed, resigned. "Because he loves you, Lois. You could
never lose Clark because he loves you."

"But you don't understand, Superman. I've betrayed him in the
worst possible way! By putting his name on that certificate and
marrying you--it will break his heart! He'll never speak to me
again!"

She was crying. He wanted to take her in his arms, but he dared
not do it.

"He will, Lois. He *is* speaking to you," he tried, putting a
hand on her shoulder to comfort her. He found himself in between
personae; he couldn't be impersonal as Superman, yet he
couldn't entirely be Clark either. His gesture and subtle hint
at the truth simply weren't enough to get her attention. Lois
was sobbing.

"I love him! Don't you see? And I used to love you. I mean, you
are very, very special to me, Superman, and always will be. But,
Clark--I was so close to trusting him with my whole heart. Yet
I've held back just this little bit because--"

[[Sirens and multiple cries for help.]] He sighed in frustration.
"Lois, I will be right back. I have to go! Please. Please don't
cry. It will be all right."

And then he was gone.

"Because he keeps disappearing," she said to the empty room.

***

She sat with that thought for a long time. Was this what it would
be like to be married to Superman? Him dashing off to save the
world at any moment, even when she needed him?

Lois mulled that over. This pattern felt so familiar. So like
Clark. [[At least Superman has legitimate excuses. Clark--]] She
paused. [[No, no... it couldn't be. Could it?]] She poured
herself a cup of coffee, thinking. She wasn't liking where this
was going. [[Clark's excuses were always so lame... but if he
*were* Superman, and no one knew, of course they'd be lame,
because they were all lies!]] Clark had been lying to her! *He*
was Superman! And he'd been lying in the worst possible way! It
all came together in her mind, all those things that she'd been
trying to understand--it all made a horrible kind of sense.

She felt sick. Nauseous, even. She had been so afraid that if
Clark found out what had happened, she'd lose him. She had felt
*so* sorry for him! And yet, here he had played her for a fool!
This was worse than the disappearing act. This betrayed
everything they could've been! So what if they were drunk when
it happened. It should *not* have happened! Period!

"Just wait till you get back here, Clark Kent!"

***

Clark decided to not go back to Lois' as Superman, but as
himself. He realized it was too easy to hide behind his
alter-ego. He just needed to tell her. Get it over with, like she
said, rip off the band-aid.

When he came to her door, he didn't hear anything. He was
tempted to x-ray it, but then he thought about it and decided
that he'd face whatever was behind that door, no matter what. He
knocked.

She came to the door, her face grim. She had figured it out, he
realized. She reached out and slapped him; he had just enough
time to soften his face so she didn't hurt herself.

"Don't pretend like that hurt, Superman," she said, her voice
icy.

It was time to face the music. He didn't even try to pretend he
didn't know what she meant. The lies had gone far enough.
"Lois. Please, let me explain," he tried.

"Go ahead, Clark, explain! I've been going in circles trying to
figure out why you would lie to me--*on so many levels*! First,
*when* were you going to tell me you were Superman? Were you
*ever* going to tell me? Were you ever going to stop playing me
for a fool?"

"Lois, you've never been a fool," he tried, moving them into
her apartment and praying the neighbors didn't hear her tirade.

He noticed her eyes were blotchy from crying earlier, and they
looked glassy again with tears.

"I realize we were both--insanely drunk last night. It was a
stupid idea to begin with. But--to not tell me truth--! To not
stop us from creating a joke out of what could be--" Words died
on her lips. She simply shook her head, unable to understand how
he could betray her. "How could you let this happen, Clark?"

"Lois, I *tried* to tell you. I gave my real name. I had hoped
you would--"

"Giving Clark Kent's name on a registry isn't exactly telling
me you *are* Clark Kent!" she cried angrily.

He sighed. "I have tried to tell you the truth, Lois. Many
times. You've got to believe me."

"Believe you? *Believe* you?" she spat the words back at him.
"Have you told me the truth about anything, Clark? You've been
lying to me since I've known you!"

"Lois, being Superman is the *only* thing I've ever lied to you
about. And I always meant to tell you. I was just waiting for the
right moment," he finished lamely.

"The right moment! Come on, Clark! The right moment would have
been any number of times, but definitely before we got to the
altar to say 'I do'!"

"I'm sorry things got this far, Lois, without you knowing."

"Clark, just leave! I can't--Just--*go*!" she said, not
looking at him, waving her arms in the general direction of the
door.

He sighed. He knew he couldn't reason with her while she was so
upset. "I won't run from you, Lois. I'll leave now, but I want
to talk to you later, when you've calmed down a bit."

"I don't want to talk to you again, ever! Just leave! I never
want to see you again! Go!" she cried.

"OK, Lois... I'll go." As he went to the door, he turned back
to say something. "I honestly never meant to hurt you, Lois. I
hope you eventually realize that."

She slammed the door in his face.

***

As he walked away, he was actually secretly relieved. At least
she knew. He was mad at himself for not telling her last night,
but at least the whole truth was now out. Clark left her
apartment and took off to the skies, with no destination in mind.
He laughed bitterly to himself. [[That's how I got in trouble
last night, not watching where I was going.]] He hoped that once
she calmed down, she'd see everything he had been trying to tell
her. That she would realize he loved her. But Clark also knew he
might be hoping for too much. He may have ruined everything by
being rash and impulsive. He beat himself up over it, not even
letting himself lay blame on the red Kryptonite or even on Lois.
He had been the only one who knew what had been really going on.
And he had deceived her. It was that simple.

Could Lois ever forgive him?

***

She couldn't believe what a fool she had been. What a fool to
not see that Superman and Clark were the same person! To not to
see that Clark could so easily play with her mind and with her
heart. He should have stopped that madness last night!

She sank to the floor, pulling her knees up to her chest. "And
why didn't *I* stop it?" she whispered aloud. Barring the fact
that they were one and the same man, why had she gone along with
Superman? [[Was it more than the wine?]] she wondered. Was it the
safety that Superman had represented that she had run to? Because
he had seemed a distant hero, therefore untouchable and unable to
break her heart? And yet, now... now it was a horrible joke--on
her. She was the one with egg on her face. She thought she could
marry Superman, make Clark jealous--and then what, Lois? Now,
completely sober, she couldn't find the reasons why she had done
such a foolish thing. Which was exactly why Clark should have
told her the truth! Well, he should have told her weeks ago, if
not months ago! But especially after they started dating! And
*absolutely* he should have said something last night!

[[Had he tried to tell me?]] she wondered in a moment of trying
to be fair. She tried to think of times when he might have been
close to doing so. If he had, then it had been subtle going,
because she couldn't think of one moment when it had seemed
Clark was about to confess something as big as being Superman.

"How dare he!" she cried. She had thought Clark and Superman
were the most honest people on Earth. And to discover that
they--*he* had lied to her for two whole years--it completely
shattered her belief in his integrity. And marrying him under
false pretenses? She still felt sick over that as well as her own
behavior. Why had she agreed in the first place? Besides being
drunk... She had no good answer.

Lois sighed. Thank God it was the weekend. She still had a whole
day before she had to face Clark at work. Maybe by then she would
know how to face him. Or maybe by then she would have vanished
into thin air, so she wouldn't have to face any of it. But at
least it bought her time.

***

An hour later, there was a knock at her door.

"Already?" she scoffed. "Go away, Clark!" she shouted at the
door.

But an unexpected voice answered, "Hey, Lois. Don't bring out
the guns. It's just me."

Dan Scardino.

She sighed. She wasn't sure she had the energy for him either.

Slowly, she got up from her place of wallowing on the floor. She
took a quick peek at herself in the mirror and did her best to at
least smooth out her hair. She looked like a wreck, but part of
her really didn't care.

"Just a sec."

"Take your time."

She opened the door and resisted the urge not to laugh as she saw
he was wearing another one of those hideous Hawaiian shirts that
he loved so much.

"Come in." She gestured.

He strode in like he owned the place. His confidence always
seemed forced to her, not easy like--[[I'm not going to think
about him. Not even going to think his name...]]

"Are you OK, Lois?" he asked, noticing Lois' tired eyes.

"Yeah... no... I don't want to talk about it, Dan."

He smiled smugly. "Well, I guess that means Clark is out of your
good graces. Which is good news for me."

"It's more complicated than that," she said defensively.

Dan shook his head. "How many chances are you going to give that
guy? Is he really worth all the heartache, Lois?"

She felt tears threaten again, knowing in her heart what the
answer was. But she refused to cry in front of Dan. She didn't
want his sympathy.

"Why are you here, Dan?" she asked irritably.

"Oh, well, you keep dodging me for a date. So I thought maybe if
I came and asked you here, you might actually accept." He
grinned. "And I'm pretty sure I'm looking a helluva lot better
than Mr. Kent right now. Am I right?"

She really didn't want anything to do with him. But a date with
Scardino might be a desirable distraction. Just to clear her
head. To get away from the mess that was her heart.

"All right, Dan, you win. You can take me on a date tonight."

"Great. I'll be back at eight to pick you up."

***

Everything was all wrong.

It was the worst date ever.

The restaurant was too crowded, she nearly choked on a fish bone,
and the wine was too sweet. No matter what Dan did, it didn't
help. She was miserable for a whole host of reasons and wished
desperately that she had just turned him down.

She wanted to leave and go home. But she made herself try to
stick it through. She would feel bad about leaving him mid-date
anyway. She knew all about how much *that* hurt.

"Lois?" he asked. "You seem distracted."

"Yeah, I am. Sorry, Dan. This... maybe this was a bad idea."

He nodded, resigned. "You need to talk to him."

"Excuse me?" she queried defensively.

"You've got it bad, Lois. And I can tell no matter how much I
wine and dine you, I don't stand a chance. Go. It's OK."

She sighed, giving up any pretense of enjoying herself. "Dan,
I'm sorry. It's just--"

"I know. I just--I just hope he realizes what a prize you
are."

***

"Wait. What a *prize* I am?" she said aloud to herself as she
walked away from the restaurant, her fury growing with every
step. "How dare he talk to me like that! This is not the
eighteenth century!"

She was sick of men. Sick of their games and their platitudes.
She should have never gotten involved with Clark, that much was
clear! First thing Monday morning, she was going to have Jimmy
research divorce lawyers. And then she'd go to the most
successful one in town. Surely this sham of a marriage could be
easily annulled, and she would never let Clark or any other man
manipulate her again! She was *not* a victim! And she would never
act like one again!

***

"So, why do you need this list, Lois?" asked Jimmy in
confusion.

"Just do it," she said through her teeth. "And *don't* tell
Clark!"

Jimmy nodded as he walked away from her desk.

"Don't tell Clark what?" said the man in question, coming down
the ramp. He had decided to be jovial, friendly. He'd win Lois
back with charm. He'd--

"None of your business. And I'm not speaking to you," Lois
said, swiveling her chair away from him.

"Well, you can't hide from me forever, you know," he chided.

She glared at him.

He leaned in over her desk. She tried not to be affected by him,
not to feel his presence or look in his eyes. "We are still
married, you know," he said in a husky whisper, knowing he was
galling her but unable to stop himself.

"Don't, Clark. I am *not* talking about this here. Now. Just
get to work!" She crossed her arms, trying to put distance
between them.

He lifted his hands in mock surrender. "OK, OK. I'll drop it.
For now."

Lois glued her eyes to her computer screen. "You better drop it,
buddy," she murmured furiously.

Clark was trying to remain cool, but inside he was scared. When
Lois was angry, she might do all sorts of foolish things. Maybe
it was better if he did just keep his distance for now. He
couldn't afford any more animosity from her.

His phone rang. "Clark Kent," he said, relieved to have a
distraction.

"We know everything about you, Mr. Kent. Or should I say...
Superman," said the voice on the phone. "If you don't want the
world to know your secret, go to a dumpster behind the Planet.
You'll find an envelope with your name on it."

The phone clicked, and Clark slowly hung up. Maybe things *could*
get worse....

Lois glanced up and saw the look of panic on Clark's face. [[Ha,
I'll just bet you're panicked! Panicked you'll lose me! So
suffer, Clark! Suffer!]]

He stood up, adjusting his tie. "I gotta--um..." He thought a
second. And then his face twisted into a half smile. At least the
lame excuses could stop. "I gotta go," he said simply to Lois,
heading for the elevator.

"Like I care," she murmured, her focus back on her screen.

Moments later, Jimmy came back over.

"Here's the divorce lawyer list you asked for. The guy at the
top is real sleaze. He'd rake his mother over the coals to make
a buck."

"And who on this list is known for... discretion?" she asked,
her cheeks flaming.

Jimmy pretended not to notice, though he had to struggle to hide
a shocked smile. [[Is Lois *married*??]]

"Uh, this woman here. Mrs. Jane Prescott. She handles a lot of
celebrity cases and stuff like that."

"Thanks, Jimmy," she said.

"No problem."

"And Jimmy?" she said, gesturing for him to lean in to hear
her. "Not a word to anybody. Especially Clark. But not to Perry
either, OK?"

"OK. You got it. Sure you don't want to tell me--?" he tried.

She shook her head. A cold "no"!

"OK, OK. You have my word. My lips are sealed!"

***

Lois made an appointment to see Jane Prescott during her lunch
break. She couldn't believe she got an appointment so easily!
Clark had never returned from his "errand," but she figured it
was just as well. She wanted to get everything laid out first,
and then she'd face him with papers.

"Ms. Lois Lane?" The secretary nodded for her to go in.

Jane Prescott was everything you'd imagine a successful divorce
lawyer to be. Blond, beautiful, impeccable taste in clothes. Lois
noticed a wedding picture behind her desk. She even appeared
happily married. [[How ever did she manage that?]] Lois asked
herself.

"Ms. Lane? Have a seat." She gestured, and Lois took a plush
burgundy chair by the window. "How may I help you today?"

Lois began telling her story. Leaving out Superman, of course.

"It was an impulsive move to go to Vegas. You know? Partners,
needing to let loose." Lois knew it sounded false, even to her
ears. And Mrs. Prescott wasn't buying it either.

"Ms. Lane, people don't 'accidentally' go to Vegas. It sounds
like a planned trip. Surely you knew the risks, and two bottles
of wine--"

"Three," Lois chimed in. "It was three bottles of wine."

"OK, so even with three bottles of wine... you can't exactly
plead insanity.... Um, was the marriage--consummated?" asked
Mrs. Prescott delicately.

Lois was silent a moment. The phrase conjured up images of
fantasies she had had but tried to keep buried about Superman.
And Clark. Superman *as* Clark. The room felt warm....

"It could be important to the case."

Lois shook off her momentary wandering into dangerous waters.
"Um, no. No, it wasn't." She cleared her throat. "The
marriage wasn't c--consummated."

"Well, good. That helps your case somewhat. But neither of you
live in Nevada. You see, one of you would have to live there for
at least six weeks to even qualify for the annulment."

"Six weeks?" Lois gulped. Neither of them could take off work
that long to work out this "problem." She could have Superman
commute, though.... But that idea wouldn't work either. It might
get awfully suspicious if Clark Kent took up residence in Nevada
while maintaining a job in Metropolis and showing no airline
flights on record....

"I'm afraid so. It's very easy to tie the knot in Las Vegas,"
Mrs. Prescott started.

"No kidding."

"But a little trickier to *undo* the knot.... If you can't
qualify for the annulment, then you'll have to file for
divorce."

Lois nodded. "Thank you for your time."

***

So, "for better or for worse" it might be then. At least for
now.

She walked back to the Planet, numb. What could she do?

She felt exhausted with even the idea of filing for divorce. And
if word got out to the press when they went to court about this
fiasco, Superman could easily be recognized publicly as Clark
Kent. How could they explain the truth otherwise, especially how
they even *got* to Vegas or the fact that she was seen with
*Superman* there? She didn't think she could put them through
that--put *him* through that, even if she was tempted.... So that
left one other option... she could try and reconcile things with
Clark. But she just wasn't ready to go there yet either. She
wasn't ready to forgive the lies. And besides, if he really did
love her, wouldn't he have told her the truth before, on his
own? Wouldn't he have stopped the madness in Vegas before it
even happened? Granted, she knew he'd been affected by some form
of Kryptonite, but had it really pushed him to act so rashly? She
didn't know. It was an unknown quantity in the equation of who
was to blame and for what. And if he was affected by the
Kryptonite and wine combo, then the blame would fall squarely on
her shoulders.

But the truth was she depended on him, as Superman or Clark,
Kryptonite or none, to be upstanding. And there was the rub.

When she got back to the newsroom, Clark was nowhere to be found.
She thought it odd, but he could be off being Superman. She asked
around to see what the scoop on her partner was.

"CK? Well, he was here earlier. But he said he had a lead to
follow up on..." Jimmy offered.

She nodded. It was just as well. She needed some time to think.

***

Spinning in her head all day, Lois decided that she just needed
to face Clark. Talk to him and see what was what. She still felt
betrayed, but she also knew that she did care about him. Whether
she'd admit that to him or not was another story. He had seemed
annoyingly flippant about their situation today, but maybe he was
just covering up his own fear? Did his attitude mean that he did
want to stay married to her? She wasn't certain what either of
them really wanted, but she knew she couldn't get any answers
keeping her thoughts to herself. At the very least, they were
stuck in this marriage for the foreseeable future, and so she
needed to find out where he stood.

He never came back to the Planet, and she was annoyed with
herself for caring so much about what he was up to. After much
debate and finally swallowing an ounce of pride, she decided to
go to his place. [[If nothing else, then I need to snoop around
and find out what he's doing!]] she justified to herself.

It was after dark, and she was surprised to find he wasn't home
either. [[Is he in Smallville?]] she wondered, knowing how much
he relied on his parents to sort him out when things went wrong.
For one panicked moment, she thought maybe he had left Metropolis
for good. She strained to see into his apartment, and though she
couldn't make out much, she could see shadows of furniture still
there. So he hadn't moved or anything. Yet.

She decided to wait on his stoop, and she sat there for almost an
hour. She had thought of letting herself in to his place, but she
figured it would distract her, being on his turf, from sorting
through her muddled heart properly. Sitting on the stoop wasn't
much better, though, as she still found herself thinking in
circles, overanalyzing everything, and worrying. [[Why all the
lies, Clark?]] she asked her absent partner. She was about to
give up and go home when she saw him walking up, all dressed in
black. She wasn't expecting that. What had he been doing?

She strived for a cool tone, but even she could hear the
bitterness in it. "You look good dressed in black. Perfect for
your skin tone. Perfect for a funeral--maybe yours," she said,
tempted to pick a fight.

"Lois, please."

She sighed wearily, her thoughts from the last hour still heavy
on her heart. "I thought I knew you. I thought you were decent
and straight-up and good. I thought you were the last honest man.
I thought you were... you were... Clark Kent."

He stared at her a moment, thinking how to answer her. He
couldn't deal with the guilt of their situation right now. But
he could sure use his partner. He decided to tell her exactly
what was going on. No more lies, no more secrets. "Mom and Dad
have been kidnapped."

"What?" Lois said in surprise, her own problems momentarily
forgotten.

"This guy, he knows my secret and wants to tell the world. So he
threatened to kill--to kill my parents. I had to--I had to rob a
jewelry store, Lois," he said, looking her in the eyes, begging
her to understand, to help him.

"But you're--but you're Superman," she said, not fully
understanding.

"It's not that easy, Lois." He shook his head ruefully. "I
can't risk this maniac killing my parents if I don't do what he
says."

"And so you can't call the police or the FBI," she said
slowly, beginning to see his predicament.

"No, I can't take that chance." He sat next to her on the
stoop, running his hands through his hair in frustration. His
whole world was falling around down around his ears.

"But he's letting them go now?" she asked. "You said you
robbed a jewelry store. So he got what he wanted, right?"

"I don't think so. I think he wants more," he said.

They both sat quiet a moment. Lois wouldn't forgive him
everything yet, but she did feel for him. Despite everything,
this was serious. She knew what his parents meant to him, meant
to her! They were sweet people and didn't deserve this.

"Clark, I'm so sorry," she said finally.

He looked at her, so many emotions flowing through him. If she
would only forgive him, maybe they could move on. Have a real
life together. But first, they had to rescue his parents. "Thank
you."

"And do you know where they are?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I searched the city. But I think they're
somewhere lead-lined. I heard my dad--" he choked on this last.
She hesitantly reached over and took his hand. He gently squeezed
it in acknowledgment.

"I heard Dad say so on the phone. I have no idea what to do,
Lois. I have never felt so helpless in my life!" He turned to
her. "And I'm sorry, Lois. So sorry about--us."

She sighed. "Look, you and I do have a lot to sort through,
it's true. But let's call a truce for now--your parents are
most important. I'll do whatever I can to help."

"Thanks," he said, genuinely touched that Lois would put aside
their problems to help his parents. "Would you... would you like
to come in a moment?" he asked, hesitant, but not wanting to be
alone.

"OK." She nodded, following him inside. Ever the problem
solver, her mind was ticking ahead about his predicament.

"Clark? Do you think there is anything we can do tonight?"

He sighed, though he smiled a little that she had said "we."
"No, I don't think so. I left the jewels where he asked me.
I'll... I'll probably get a phone call tomorrow. I'm just so
worried, Lois."

He sat down heavily on the sofa. "I'm the fastest, strongest
man on the planet, yet I don't know what to do to help my own
parents."

She sat down next to him, though she kept her distance. "You'll
figure something out. You always do."

He laughed bitterly. "I don't know how you have such faith in
me, Lois." He moved so he could see her face. "I've screwed up
so many times. Have I... have I ruined it for us as well?"

She could see the pain it cost him to ask those words. Part of
her wanted to be stubborn and petty. But at the same time, she
knew she would never really be happy if she actually lost Clark.

"I saw a divorce lawyer today, Clark," she began, making
herself more comfortable on the couch.

He froze at her statement. "So, you... you were able to get the
annulment?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

She shook her head and smiled ruefully, "Nope, not a chance. Not
unless one of us can live in Nevada for at least six weeks."

He digested that a moment. But she went ahead and answered what
he was bound to come up with next. "It wouldn't do for Clark
Kent to be living in Nevada and New Troy without a trace of
frequent flier miles, Clark. I know that. We'd have to file for
divorce."

"Oh, no," he said under his breath, seeing much as Lois had
earlier how that could unravel everything about Superman in front
of the world.

She sighed. "I guess we have to face what this--marriage means
to us. Sooner or later."

He looked at her, feeling relieved that she didn't want to push
a divorce. Maybe things would be all right between them after
all. "Lois, I have to tell you something."

She rolled her eyes. "Please. Not another revelation about
something! I can't take any more surprises!"

He laughed warmly. "No, I promise the secrets are over." He
turned to her, serious. "But, Lois, I want you to know that I
had been thinking about asking you to marry me for a while."

She looked surprised at that. "You had?"

He sighed. He had held so much back from her--he felt now she
deserved the whole truth. With all his cards out on the table,
maybe he could still come up a winner. "Yeah, I had been torn
between what should come first, my telling you about Superman or
asking you to marry me." He hesitated, but then he reached for
her hand, to give himself courage to tell her the rest. "The
thing is, Lois, I knew you had had feelings for Superman."

She started to say something, but he squeezed her hand. "Please.
Let me finish. This is hard enough as it is."

She nodded.

"And I wanted--no, I *needed* to know that you could love me,
Clark, and not the Suit." His eyes searched hers, willing her to
understand him.

"You'd been waiting for *me* to see the man beneath the suit,
is that it?" she asked slowly.

"Yeah, sort of. But to be fair, I know I hadn't always led you
in the right direction to do so. I had become jealous of my own
creation! It's funny, really. But then when we started
dating..." He moved closer to her, daring to cup her cheek. "It
meant the world to me. It meant that you were finally allowing
the real me in."

She touched his hand on her cheek and then turned slightly away.
"I don't know what to say exactly, Clark. Part of me wants to
pummel you for lying to me for so long, but part of me--" She
looked at him, her eyes going to his lips. Her heart was thudding
in her ears.

He felt his body go warm, seeing her look.

"--wants to do this," she said breathlessly, leaning in to kiss
him.

He met her halfway. She kissed him with all the passion and love
in her heart, and he answered her in equal measure. All the hurt
they had done to each other was erased in a meeting of lips as
their hearts finally answered one another.

Clark pulled her closer to him. As long as he had her, everything
would be all right. They'd make it through this mess, get his
parents back. There was hope left in the world if Lois Lane could
forgive him.

He pulled back in surprise when he tasted the salt of her tears.

"Lois? What's the matter?" he whispered, brushing her hair out
of her face.

"The thing is... I was marrying *you* in Vegas. I said those
words to Clark, though I didn't realize you were standing right
there."

"I know, Lois." He smiled gently, glad to know he was at least
right about that. "I think that's why I went along with it.
It's not how I imagined marrying you, but I'm glad we did
it."

She took a shaky breath. "So, you forgive me for marrying
Superman?"

He smiled. "As long as you forgive me for not telling you I *am*
Superman."

"Well, I may still have a bone to pick with you still on that
one... but I think I forgive you." She grinned happily.

Clark glanced at the clock. "It's past midnight. Do you... want
to go home?"

Lois laughed warmly. "Clark, you really can be so naive
sometimes, you know that? We're married, aren't we? I mean...
you said you were going to ask me to marry you anyway. So you
*do* want to be married, right?" she asked, babbling, suddenly
nervous she had misread him.

He kissed her gently, his voice soft and husky when he answered,
"Yeah, I do."

She smiled, relieved. "Well, then, what if... what if I stayed
the night?" She looked up at him coyly.

"You realize this--would make things official. No turning
back," he said, his warm chocolate eyes sparkling with love.

"Yeah, I know," she answered, her voice breathy. "I want to
stay."

"Then I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't." He
grinned. She stood up, but he suddenly pulled her back down on to
his lap. He tenderly stroked her jaw, moving her face so he could
look in her eyes. "I love you, Lois. As Superman or as me,
Clark. I love you. I always have, always will."

"Oh, Clark!" She threw her arms around his neck. "I love you,
too."

They kissed, each an anchor for the other in the storm going on
around them. They were lost in a moment, in each other.

"Take me to bed," Lois whispered, nibbling at his ear.

Clark swooped her up in his arms, kissing her as he made his way
to his bedroom.

For tonight, the world could wait.

***

Lois awoke in the middle of the night to an empty bed.

"Clark?" she cried out.

She slowly got up, her limbs languid from their earlier
lovemaking.

She padded softly into the living room and found Clark sitting on
the sofa with his head in his hands, the moonlight making his
dark hair almost appear silver.

"Hey," she said quietly, noticing his distress.

He turned to her, and his eyes were glassed over, not recognizing
her for a second in his grief. Then, all at once, he reached for
her, and she took him in her arms.

"God, Lois. What am I doing? Here I've been making love to you
while my parents are trapped somewhere!"

She felt him tremble, and she realized he was crying. Superman
was crying.

"Clark, it's OK." She held onto him, stroking his back like a
child. "We'll figure something out."

"How can you love someone so selfish, Lois?" He looked into her
eyes.

She was shocked at this statement. "Selfish? You? Clark! Are you
kidding? You are the most giving, self-sacrificing person I
know!" she said, tears welling up in her own eyes.

"So you had a moment of weakness, Clark. It just proves that
you're more human than you know," she said gently, kissing him
on the cheek.

"I've had more than a moment of weakness in the last few days,
Lois," he said sadly. "But what if this one costs my parents
their lives?"

She gently took his head in her hands, stroking his hair back.
"Clark, listen to me. I asked you before--" She hesitated,
gesturing vaguely toward the bedroom. "I asked if there was
anything we could do at that moment. And you said no. There's
nothing to be done tonight. We'll just have to get to the Planet
early tomorrow and pull together our resources and do what we
always do. Clark, we'll beat this guy, one way or another! Now,
come on, let's get some sleep."

He pulled her to him, kissing her gently. "I'm glad I married
you, Lois Lane."

She laughed softly. "Me, too."

She took his hand and led him back to the bedroom. As they got
under the covers, Clark pulled her into his arms.

"I don't know what I'd do without you, honey," he said,
pulling her in tighter to him.

That endearment meant more to her than all the world.

"Love you," she breathed before drifting off to sleep in her
husband's arms.

***

At the Planet the next morning, Lois and Clark were inseparable.
Lois was determined to help Clark get his parents back, safe and
sound. He gave her all the leads he had on the case, the
strongest being a particular orchid scent he had picked up at his
apartment when his parents had been kidnapped. As it turned out,
it was a rare orchid only ordered by Zurich Air. Lois did what
she could over the phone to see who had flown with them
recently.

"I need to talk to somebody who can authorize the release of
passenger lists...." She touched Clark's arm, trying to
reassure him that she'd make some progress.

Perry and Jimmy were eying them from Perry's office. "Jimmy,
that dress Lois has on, didn't she wear that yesterday?"

Jimmy looked over. "I don't know, Chief."

Perry tapped Jimmy lightly on the shoulder. "You want to be a
newspaperman, you gotta be observant. Does Clark look a little
haggard to you?"

Jimmy had sensed something was up with Clark. He nodded.

"Like he hasn't had much sleep lately. Like he's got something
worrying him?" Perry continued. "Like a tiger trapped in a
cage?"

"Yeah, I guess," said Jimmy.

"You know what I think Jimmy?" Perry said. Jimmy looked at
Perry expectantly. "I think they eloped."

It all suddenly made sense to Jimmy. He was bursting to say
something to Perry. He had suspected something was up, but the
last thing he wanted was Lois on his tail for letting anything
slip about her request yesterday. He did a double take. [[Was
Lois married to *Clark*??]]

***

"I don't think this is going to work. We don't have any
leverage," said Lois, looking up at Clark apologetically.

Just then, a cop came down the ramp, heading right towards them.

"Could I talk to you, Kent?"

Clark stepped away from Lois a moment to greet the cop. She
nodded and gestured that she'd still try to get through to
someone at Zurich Air.

"Sure, Sergeant," Clark said.

The cop looked at Clark warily, holding a photo in his hand.
"You know that Mazik's jewelry store that got hit last night?
They've got a hidden security camera."

Lois met Clark's eyes, and they both schooled their features not
to reveal anything.

The Sergeant handed the photo to Clark. Clark was momentarily
stunned; there it was, his crimes for the world to see.

"That could be anybody, Zymak," Lois chimed in very
convincingly, making Clark thankful Lois was so good at thinking
on her feet.

Zymak held up the photo to Clark, still a little suspicious.
"Same nose, same chin, same glasses." He let the photo drop but
still kept his scrutiny on Clark. "Where were you last night
from, say, nine o'clock on?"

Clark was still freaking out, but again, Lois jumped in to rescue
him.

"He was with me," she said, looking the cop in the eyes.

"Yeah?"

She moved to grab Clark's arm again, protectively. "Yeah."

"All night?"

She smiled and felt her cheeks go a little red. "All night."

Clark finally found his voice, "Sergeant, you *know* us. Do you
really think I'd commit a burglary? Do you really think Lois
would lie about it?"

Clark had him there. Kent and Lane were the most trusted
reporters he knew. He finally relented. "No. No, I don't. But
you've got a double out there somewhere, Kent."

Zymak started to leave, but Clark got an idea and spoke up before
he got too far. "Ah, Sergeant? If I ask Superman to help you
find this thief, could you do me a favor? We need some
information from Zurich Air, uh, for something we're working
on...."

The cop took the phone, and Lois and Clark exchanged looks of
relief.

A little time later, and they had another piece of the puzzle.
Apparently, the guy who owned the jewelry store had also been the
one who had flown on Zurich Air along with an alias for Nigel St.
John, who had worked for Lex Luthor.

"What would Nigel St. John want with your parents, Clark?" she
asked naively.

"Lois, I tried to tell you that Luthor was after Superman. I
don't see why St. John wouldn't have it out for me as well."

She quietly digested that. She didn't like to dwell on thoughts
about Lex, and as she realized that he had been after Superman,
it came together why Clark had been so adamant about her not
marrying Lex last year.

"I'm sorry, Clark," she said, touching his shoulder.

"What for?"

"I know it's in the past and all, but I'm sorry for not
listening to you about Luthor last year. I just didn't--"

"You didn't know. You couldn't have known. Lois, it's OK.
We're together now. That's all that matters to me," he said,
patting her hand on his shoulder.

She smiled sadly. "We could've been together a lot sooner, I
think, if I'd have listened to you."

"Oh, really?" he asked, smugly. "You think you would have paid
attention to plain old Clark last year, the hack from
Nowheresville?"

Lois had the grace to look abashed. "Touché... but I'm glad
we're together now."

"Me, too." He grinned. "Hey, I just had an idea. I'm going to
call the airline back."

Clark cleared his throat as he prepared to sound like Zymak.
"This is Sergeant Zymak again, M.P.D. You had a passenger, S.
Janacek, Flight 697, two days ago. Can you tell me how the fare
was paid?"

He heard the answer on the other end and looked at Lois with a
"get a load of this" look. "Mazik? Jason T. Mazik?"

"As in Mazik Jewelers?" she asked.

"Thank you," he said and then slammed the phone down,
irritated. "Yes, as in Mazik Jewelers."

He moved to get his coat. He was going to face this Janacek guy
and get to the bottom of this.

"You wait here."

She laughed, grabbing her coat in one motion as she followed him,
"When pigs fly!"

***

They had spoken to Janacek, who didn't give them any helpful
information. Clark was certain it was the same guy who had
threatened him on the phone. Back at the Planet, they were trying
to strategize their next move.

Clark was so thankful Lois was on the same page with him. He
wasn't sure he deserved it, but he definitely appreciated it.

As she was pouring herself a cup of coffee, he came up beside her
and gently squeezed her arm. They had decided not to tell anyone
about their, um, accidental elopement yet. And with this mess
going on with his parents, Lois didn't need to be made a target
either.

"Hey," he said softly.

She smiled. "How you holding up?"

"Better. Thanks to you." He smiled warmly. "Lois, I'm so
relieved to have you by my side. I was really worried that you'd
never forgive me and--"

She nodded, sighing. "I thought about not forgiving you, but the
truth is--we need each other," she said simply.

"We do. Lois, I--"

Jimmy waved over at them. "CK, phone for you. You can take it at
Stanley's desk."

Clark nodded and turned back to Lois. "Guess now is not the time
to bare our souls," he said wryly.

She laughed. "Go on."

Clark grabbed the phone. Lois watched him carefully. It was the
kidnapper, Janecek! She was certain. She walked over to him.

"Just tell me what you want," said Clark tersely.

Clark listened a moment and then looked right at Lois, his eyes
eloquent with love, but his jaw tight. "Yes."

He suddenly turned away from her, a frown forming on his face.
"Bring what?"

All the color drained from Clark's face. He slowly put down the
phone and turned to Lois. His eyes looked torn between horror and
disbelief.

"That was him, wasn't it?" she asked.

"Lois, don't--" Clark started, panicked.

She reached to touch his arm, concerned. Clark looked extremely
worried. "What did he say to you? What did he say, Clark?" she
asked, her own voice rising with worry at Clark's continued
silence and look of shock.

He turned to her, his eyes pained with fear. His voice was
strangled as he got out, "He wants you dead... in thirty
minutes... or he's going to kill my parents."

Lois shook her head. "It's Nigel... we got too close."

He reached for her hand, desperate. "I want you to get out of
town. Get on a plane, go far..."

She leaned up to him, touching his face. "No, I have an idea.
Meet me at my place." She reached up and kissed him fiercely and
then whispered in his ear, "As Superman."

She stepped back from him but still held his hand, squeezing it
reassuringly as she said, "Everything's going to be all
right."

And then she was gone, leaving him to wonder what crazy idea she
had now.

***

"Freeze you?" Clark asked in disbelief.

She nodded, seemingly trying to reassure herself that it was
possible and a good idea. "Like cryogenics... people who fall in
frozen lakes but get revived? You freeze me with your breath,
fast--I've seen you do it a hundred times--then it looks like
I'm dead, you bring the body, and--"

He shook his head. "Lois, do you have any idea how dangerous
that is? There could be arterial ruptures, permanent brain
damage...." He looked at her, his heart in his eyes. "You could
die."

She was pacing now, fear growing in her, but she was determined
to do this. "Yes, I could die. But your parents *will* die
unless we do something. Clark, I can do this. Let me do this."

She had tears in her eyes as she turned to him. Their eyes held
for a moment, and then he suddenly reached for her, pulling her
into his arms. "Why, Lois? Why are you willing to risk so much
for me?" he said, his voice cracking.

"Because I love you. Don't you know that? Despite everything."
She wiped her eyes. "I don't know what I'd be without you,
Clark. And if this is the only way to save your parents, then so
be it. I trust you."

Those last words just about broke his heart. He felt tears in his
own eyes, and he pulled her to his chest again. "It's your
trust that scares me, Lois. I--I hope I can live up to it."

She pulled back from him enough just to be able to reach up and
kiss him. "You do every day. You're the best man I've ever
known, Clark."

"Even when I fly you off to Vegas and marry you and not tell you
who I really am?" he couldn't resist adding, laughing through
the tears.

It wasn't the time for jokes, but her lips curled up in a small
smile. "Yeah, even then," she said quietly, both knowing in
that moment all was truly forgiven.

He looked at her a moment, unable to believe the woman before him
was his wife. He moved to kiss her. He meant it to be a gentle
kiss, but suddenly they were kissing passionately, fiercely,
hungrily--as if it was their last.

Finally, they pulled away. "We don't have much time," Lois
said weakly.

He nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

"I love you," she mouthed, her voice stifled by tears.

"I love you, too, Lois," he whispered hoarsely. He took a
steadying breath. He knew he had to do this. Logically, it made
sense; she had come up with a brilliant idea. But his heart
squeezed in the pain of her sacrifice. He just hoped it would all
work out. That she'd be fine.

"Clark, just do it," she squeaked, trying to be brave.

He nodded, pulling his thoughts back to the moment.

"Close your eyes."

He reached out to cup her face; it was their touch. One they had
shared so many times, both with him as Superman and as Clark. She
looked up at him in surprise. [[He *had* tried to tell me. He
just could never find the words....]]

Clark stepped back, distancing himself physically and emotionally
as best he could. He had to just be the hero, even if it ripped
out his heart in the process.

His breath came like a kiss. It loved her and froze her at once.
She stilled her breath, her mind reaching for one thought only.

[[I love you.]]

***

She heard his voice first. "Fight, Lois! Don't go! You are not
dying on me, you are not giving up! Breathe!"

His voice called her back from the abyss, from the darkness, from
the cold. [[Clark!?]] her mind called for him, reaching for her
anchor. Suddenly, she felt her lungs fill with a painful puff of
air, warm compared to the still-cool tissues inside of her. She
coughed and then opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was his face. Her husband's face, a look
there between terror and hope as he saw she was finally
breathing.

"I heard you... " she managed shakily. "I heard you
calling."

He pulled her to him. She was trembling, but alive. "I thought I
lost you," he whispered.

"They're all right? Are your parents all right?" she asked
between gasps as her lungs struggled to work normally.

His heart squeezed with love for her, touched that her first
thoughts would be for his parents. He was also relieved--she
remembered. His throat felt tight as he answered, "Yes, thanks
to you. They're fine."

Martha and Jonathan came over. "We're right here, Lois,"
Martha said, her eyes moist and watching the scene before her.

"I'm so... cold," Lois managed.

Clark looked helplessly at her and then back up at his parents.

"Get her to a hospital, son. We'll be fine," Jonathan offered,
seeing Clark's lost look.

Clark nodded and gently swung her up to cradle her in his arms.

She feebly tried to wrap her arms around his neck, but she
didn't have the strength to hold on to him.

"Don't worry, Lois. I've got you," he said, his heart in his
throat.

They took off to the skies, Clark holding her close to his chest.
He gently used a bit of his heat vision on her to warm her, but
he worried it wouldn't be enough.

"Lois? Are you OK? We'll be at the hospital shortly."

She nodded, sleep pulling at her limbs.

"So... tired, Clark," she murmured.

He gently shook her. He was pretty sure she had hypothermia,
making it dangerous for her to fall asleep.

[[I caused this! I did this to her! Wasn't there any other way
to save them?]]

"Lois, I need you to stay awake. Focus on my voice. Just listen
to me. Stay with me, now...."

He continued talking nonsense, keeping his voice calm despite the
turmoil he felt inside. He needed to keep her conscious on the
way to the hospital.

It was less than a five minute flight, but it felt like an
eternity to Clark until they arrived at Metropolis Medical
Center. The orderlies were used to Superman dropping off victims
of crimes and accidents, so they didn't look askance at him. He
wanted to follow her inside but knew he couldn't as Superman. He
didn't even know if he'd be allowed to see her as Clark later
either.

"Lois Lane... Kent," he heard her tell the nurse filling out
her preliminary paperwork before they admitted her.

Clark smiled in relief. He touched her hand. "I'll send Clark
to you just as soon as I can."

She smiled weakly and then turned back to the nurse, who was
ready with a wheelchair to take her inside. She was in good
hands.

He could leave her for a moment. He had one detail of unfinished
business to attend to.

***

Clark headed off to do a little intimidation demonstration at
Janecek's.

He flew in through the window, his cape swishing impressively
behind him. Superman crossed his arms across his chest and gave
Janecek his best "don't mess with me" glare.

The man had the gall to taunt him with Tempus' diary right in
his face.

"It's all written down here in this little book. Superman is
Clark Kent," Janecek said arrogantly, tossing the book to land
on a tiny marble stand.

Clark smirked at the perfect placement of the book on the stand.
[[How convenient,]] he thought as he used his heat vision to set
the book aflame.

[[You've proven that if the world knows too much about me,
people I care about can get hurt.]]

"Unfortunately for you, we live in skeptical times, where people
demand proof," he said, taunting as he finished. "And you
don't have any."

Clark took off to the skies, glad to have that problem solved.

***

He brought Lois flowers. Tulips from Holland, actually, but he
didn't tell her that. He could barely say anything anyway,
seeing her lay so helpless in that hospital bed. She was asleep,
and he simply sat by her side, happy that he had that privilege
as her husband.

Clark gently touched her hand, and she opened her eyes.

"Told you everything would be OK," she murmured.

He felt tears well up in his eyes. Would everything be OK? If
villains could use those closest to him to break him like this,
put those he loved at risk, would everything ever be OK?

She reached up to touch his face but couldn't quite make it. He
took her fingers in his hand instead and reached down to kiss
them. "The doctor said you'll be able to go home in a day or
so, Lois. I'll stay with you, if you want."

"I'd love for you to stay, but it's not fair to you."

"I don't mind, Lois," he said quietly, stroking her forehead.

"OK." She smiled back.

The nurse came in with a tray. Clark helped her sit up. Lois
looked at her dinner disdainfully. "I may be sick, but I'm not
dying. Can't Metropolis Medical do any better than this garbage?
I swear--I should write an op-ed on this...."

Clark laughed. "Well, at least you sound like you're back to
your old self."

She looked at him sweetly. "Could you maybe--get some of that
Chinese food that I really like?"

He smiled, her spirit warming his heart. "Sure, I'll be back
before you can say--Superman." He winked at her.

As promised, he was back in a flash, and Lois couldn't be
happier. "This is *so* much better. Thanks, Clark."

"I'd do anything for you, you know that," he said quietly.

"And I'd do anything for you," she said, serious a moment as
she looked in his eyes. She had proven that she would indeed, and
it made him want to protect her all the more.

He was quiet as he ate, thinking. He loved Lois with all of his
heart, but he was terrified of losing her because being close to
Superman was dangerous. She was a target, and it scared him.

Lois sensed his moodiness. "What is it, Clark?"

"I nearly lost everyone I hold dear today, Lois," he began
slowly. "All because someone got too close to my secret."

"But you didn't lose anyone. I'm here. Your parents are fine.
Why are you upset?"

He sighed. "I'm scared that those who are close to me will
always be in danger. I'm scared that one day--I won't be able
to protect you."

He looked her in the eyes, willing her to understand him.

"Clark, I'm a big girl. And I was always able to get out of
scrapes before I met you. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're
around, but don't feel like you have to constantly protect me.
That's--exhausting."

"Tell me about it," he said wryly. Then he leaned in to try to
explain his fears. "I'm delighted--over-the-moon happy that
we're married, don't get me wrong. But it terrifies me, too,
Lois. It scares me that I'd do anything to protect you and that
criminals can do anything to you to get me to do their will."

She looked down at her Chinese food, thinking. "What are you
proposing, Clark? That we keep our marriage a secret? You know,
it's not like they know I'm married to Superman," she
whispered. "I'm married to my partner, Clark Kent."

"I guess you're right. As long as my identity stays protected,
everything should be OK," he said, though he still sounded
unconvinced.

Lois hesitated a moment but then told herself to just ask what
was on her heart. "Clark? When *are* we going to tell people
we're married?"

She wouldn't look at him, afraid of what she might see in his
eyes.

"I don't know, Lois. And it's not because I don't want the
world to know about us, 'cause I do." He smiled and reached to
touch her hand reassuringly. "It's just... how would we explain
it without Superman? I mean, do we mention going to Vegas at all?
People will ask questions, where and when, you know? We need to
have ready answers for that."

She understood, but her womanly pride was still a bit hurt. She
absently looked at her hand, realizing that she didn't even have
a proper ring. All she had was a cheap ring that the chapel had
given them and that she had taken off yesterday simply because it
was leaving a green imprint on her finger. She surreptitiously
looked at Clark's hand--he didn't have one on either.

She sighed. Lois wanted to feel convinced that he loved her and
wanted to be with her, but she needed the stuff that went along
with it! A proper wedding ring would be nice!

"Lois, what is it?" he asked, sensing her mood.

She looked over at him. [[He'll think I'm being petty,]] she
thought. "Nothing, Clark. I guess I'm just tired, that's
all."

He reached to clear away the Chinese boxes and leaned in to kiss
her forehead. "What am I? A child?" she asked, still smarting.

He laughed warmly. "That you are definitely not," he said,
leaning in to give her a proper kiss. "Now, get some sleep."

***

After Lois fell asleep, he left the hospital for a quick flight
around the city. He hoped he would be back before she noticed he
was gone, but he desperately needed to clear his head. He was
terrified of the lengths Lois had been willing to go to help him.
[[And would I do any less for her?]] He knew the answer; he would
do all that and more for her. So why did it bother him that Lois
would risk so much for him? [[Because she's not invulnerable. I
could lose her.]]

Clark slowed his flight as he headed over Metropolis Harbor. He
was lost in his thoughts, watching the iridescent waves below
him, now and then catching a glimpse of his reflection.

[[It's dangerous for her to love me. Criminals will use her
against me. Can I be so selfish to want to keep her in my life
even so?]]

He felt torn. In his lowest moments, he had thought of breaking
it off with Lois--thought that it was too dangerous for her to be
associated with him, even as Clark. But he knew he could never
entirely let Lois go, and it wouldn't be fair to keep her
attached to him by continually watching over her and yet keep his
distance from her emotionally. He knew he could never do that
entirely either. Therefore, this relationship was an
all-or-nothing situation.

[[So, what's it going to be, Flyboy?]] he asked himself, though
he heard Lois' voice.

He spun upwards, thinking about Lois. How much he loved her, and
how much she loved him. Love was their true vulnerability, and in
that, they were equals.

All or nothing? That was easy.

[[All. It was always all.]]

***

Lois was feeling better the next day and was entirely relieved to
be going home. She hated feeling like an invalid and was glad she
wasn't taking up a bed at the hospital any longer; real sick
people needed it much more than she did.

"I'm so glad to be out of there!" she exclaimed as they headed
to her Jeep. "I'll even drive!"

He smirked, "OK... you're the top banana."

"You bet!" She smiled.

Her heady exuberance over her freedom dissipated a little as they
started towards her place. Her apartment, not his, not *theirs*;
they still had separate living arrangements. They hadn't
discussed the details of their marriage yet. When would they make
it official? Would they always have a "his" and "hers" place?
He had seemed nervous about it all the other night. Was he having
doubts because of Superman?

She started to feel her palms sweat. She hated feeling vulnerable
and stupid. [[Get a hold of yourself, Lois! This is Clark! Just
talk to him!]]

"Clark?"

"Yeah?"

"Um, so, are we going to keep our apartments? Or should we look
for a house? I don't want to sell my apartment unless you want
to sell yours. And, well, should we at least tell Perry about us
now? I mean, since no one knows about us yet and--"

He stopped her before she could babble further. "Lois, one thing
at a time. Can you give us a few days? You just got out of the
hospital. I promise we'll come up with a plan."

"Oh, a few days?" she asked quietly. [[What do they need a few
days for? Is he still worried about protecting me? I told him I
could take care of myself. And no one needs to know anything
about Su--]]

He sighed. "Lois, calm down. I can practically hear your
thoughts."

"You can?" she said.

"I mean, I can sense you're worrying. There's nothing to worry
about, Lois. I love you. Things will be fine, OK?" He reached
over and squeezed her free hand.

"And we are going to tell people about us, aren't we? I mean,
it's not like we're wearing wedding rings that people could
obviously notice." She felt her cheeks flush red. She hadn't
wanted to mention the rings.

"Lois, do you trust me?" he asked suddenly.

"With my life," she answered, not missing a beat.

He smiled a quirky half-smile at that. "I mean, do you trust
that I love you and that I want to be married to you?"

She glanced over at him, seeing his earnest look. [[What a fool
you are for worrying, Lois,]] she chided herself.

She sighed. "Of course I do."

"I just need two days. Can you give me two days? You'll be back
at work by then, and--it'll give me time to sort some
details."

She didn't understand that cryptic remark. What did he need two
days for? It sounded like he was having doubts and just wouldn't
admit it. But it was just two days. Surely, she could survive not
knowing whatever it was for that long. [[Yeah, right. I have to
know everything.]]

"Why two days, Clark? What details? Superman? Surely it's not
such a--"

He didn't want to do this, but he played his trump card. "Lois,
I never ask you for anything. I am just asking to let the
question of the details of our marriage ride for two days.
That's it. I want to be your husband, I promise. More than
anything. Just give me two days."

"OK. You got it. Two days. But this better be good."

She didn't see him smile.

***

Lois did not want to stay home. But the doctor insisted she take
at least the next two days off, so she did.

[[What's with this whole two days nonsense, anyway?]]

"I want you to let me know about everything that goes on, Clark!
Just bring me your notes from the day, and I can work on them at
home."

"Fine, Lois. Don't worry. It's only two days. It won't kill
you." He laughed. He was glad she seemed ready to conquer the
world again, but she still had a cough that needed some care.

He cupped her cheek. "Be good."

"Ha! Like I have a choice," she said, gesturing to her sofa,
which was set up with a blanket and pillow, a few novels, and a
couple of movies to occupy her day. "I really think I could go
into work...."

"Lois. Just take the time off. You'll be fine. I'll let you
know what's going on, OK?"

He leaned in to kiss her.

"I'll be by after work." he whispered.

She slid her arms around his neck and kissed him back. "You
better."

***

Three hours later, Lois was freaking out. Was Clark up to
something? What was with this mysterious two days? What details
did he need to sort out without her? He hadn't stayed over last
night, claiming she needed rest. She had agreed, but still. He
was her husband! What was going on?

She decided to call the Planet and see if anything was going on
there. She told herself it was just to check up on things in the
newsroom, but really, she wanted to know if Clark was up to
something.

"Jimmy? It's Lois."

"Hey, Lois! Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah, I am, thanks," she said. She and Clark had decided to
just say she had gotten sick. There was no need to give details.

"Well, we can't wait to have you back!"

She smiled. "Thanks, Jimmy. Hey, so, is there anything...
interesting going on today?"

"No, not really. There was a robbery downtown. Superman took
care of that. But otherwise, it's been a slow news day. You
aren't missing much."

"Has Clark... has Clark mentioned me?" she asked.

"Uh, not really. Just to say you're doing better and that
you'll be out of the office for the next two days."

"And Perry is OK with that?" she said in some surprise.

"Yeah, CK and him were talking this morning. Hey, there's CK
now. You want to talk to him?"

"Sure," she said, but she already heard Jimmy passing the
phone.

"Hey," came Clark's warm voice over the phone.

"Hey, yourself. Just calling..."

"...to check up on me?" he asked, and she could hear his
smile.

"No," she said, a little defensive. "Just to see what was
going on in the newsroom."

"Uh-huh," Clark answered, unconvinced. "There's not much to
tell you, Lois. I'll bring you some notes on that Senator I
mentioned to you last week." He paused. Last week was a lifetime
ago. "But I'll do the write-up on the robbery this morning. It
wasn't a big deal. And, uh, I got a few quotes from Superman to
go on."

"You crack me up," she said in slight awe.

"What do you mean?"

"When I think how causally you mention your 'quotes from
Superman' that you 'somehow' managed to get--Clark, you're
too much, is all!"

He sounded sheepish. "Well, it's just that, uh--I guess I'm in
the habit--"

"You don't have to defend yourself. I think now I find it sort
of--cute."

"Cute?" he said in surprise.

"Yeah, cute. So sue me."

"Hey, Lois. I've got to go. Perry needs to see me. I'll see
you later, OK?"

How she wished she was there in the newsroom with him. [[I'm so
addicted to my job... and my partner.]]

"OK. Love you."

"You, too."

And then he hung up.

[[He didn't say he loved me, didn't use that word, "love." Is
it because he doesn't want people at work to hear? Am I fooling
myself?]]

***

Lois was glad to be back at the Planet, even if she had only
missed three days of work. Still. She barely even took weekends
off. Three days off of work for Lois was like two weeks to most
normal people.

"OK, kids, time for the morning meeting. Everyone in the
conference room!" Perry shouted, gesturing to get the party
started.

After roll call came the assignments, always Lois' favorite
part.

"I'm ready to go, Chief. What have you got?" she asked.

"Uh, Lois, I have a special assignment for you and Clark. I told
him to not mention it until you came back to the office. He
actually got a head start on it while you were recovering, but
I'm sure you'll catch up quick," Perry said.

"What?" asked Lois, getting a little angry. She thought Clark
had told her *all* the stories they were supposed to be working
on. Why would he hold one back from her, even if Perry told him
to?

Perry reached for a paper nearby. "Yeah, you see, we need to do
a follow-up article on this front-page story Clark did while you
were ill. Here, Clark, why don't you tell her about it?" Perry
winked and handed the paper to Clark.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but you were recovering, and we
wanted to wait 'cause it's going to take a lot to make it
happen the way it should," Clark said, a serious tone to his
voice that came across as patronizing to Lois.

"I am perfectly capable of handling big stories even when I'm
sick. You know that, Clark! Besides, I was only gone for three
days!" she said defensively.

"Well, this is a story we have to do together, or it won't
work. And Perry and I thought it would be best to ask you about
it now, in front of the whole staff."

Suddenly, Clark kneeled before her, looked in her eyes, and then
turned the paper around so she could read the headline.

It read: "Lois & Clark: The Planet's Own Tie the Knot."

"Will you marry me... again?" he asked, giving her a wink.

He took in her surprised smile and then put the paper aside as he
pulled out the real deal. A small black box. She squealed with
excitement. Even before he could open it, she threw herself into
his arms. "Oh, Clark! Of course! Over and over again!"

They looked in each other's eyes. "I thought..." she breathed,
recriminating herself for all the doubts that had snuck into the
back of her mind.

"I know. I didn't want to deceive you, just surprise you. And I
needed some time to prepare this."

She hugged him and then looked around at the small conference
room. People were expecting something.

"I think they want us to kiss," Lois said, her voice sultry.

"Then what are we waiting for?"

He lowered his head to hers, giving her a kiss full of promise.
The whole office cheered.

"I *knew* something was up with you two!" said Jimmy. Then,
remembering the divorce lawyer list, he gave a questioning glance
at Lois, who looked up from Clark when she heard his remark.

She saw his look and firmly shook her head. Jimmy lifted his
hands in a "whatever" gesture.

"Congratulations!" Perry cried, bringing out a bottle of
champagne. "You kids have the rest of the week off. Clark said
you needed some time to sort out looking for a new place. We can
hold down the fort for a few days unless something big comes
up."

Lois leaned in to kiss Clark again and then whispered so only he
could hear, "Thank you."

"I told you I wanted the world to know," he said softly. "This
means we can plan a proper wedding, however you want to do it."

"Well, my mother will be thrilled," she said, laughing through
some tears. "But all I care about is that I'm with you."

He smiled warmly. "That's all I want, too. Hey, don't you want
to see the ring?" he suddenly asked. "I've been dying to give
it to you. I needed the two days to have it engraved...."

"Oooh! Yes!" she squealed girlishly.

He opened the box for her, and there was a beautiful silver ring
with a simple yet stunning diamond.

"Oh, Clark," she sighed.

"Superman found the diamond himself," he whispered with some
pride.

He took it out of its satin cushion. "Read the inscription."

She took the ring from his hand but didn't let go of him.
"'I've loved you since the beginning,'" she read, tears
welling up in her eyes again.

He took the ring from her and slipped it on her finger. They
leaned in for another kiss, and then Lois pulled back just enough
to look in his eyes and said, "...And I'll love you till the
end."

This time, when they kissed again, the world fell away.

THE END