15989/Lois Lane Returns

Lois Lane Returns
Date of Scene:	23 January 2024
Location:	Lane-Kent Brownstone, Midvale, New Troy
Synopsis:	After being away too long, Lois returns to Clark. A whirlwind day of understanding and confession ends at home. Lois is back where she belongs.
Cast of Characters:	Lois Lane, Superman

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Lois Lane has posed:
    Everyone needs a wake up call from time to time. They need something to set them back on the path. To make them aware of what is wrong. To reveal some obvious truth that they missed. Lois had hers in Belgrade. It led her to get on a plane and come home without warning.

    Red eye flights got her home somewhere around 4 AM. She was tired, tired to her bones. She lost her luggage and with it all her makeup. Leaving the way she did, grabbing everything abruptly and going without warning, there is nothing here to fix herself up. Only after she forages around through old purses does she find foundation.

    Then the waiting begins. She hesitates to send a message to Clark. She has failed to contact him for weeks, after all. He will be here. She cannot help but notice the house could use some tidying up. While she waits, she does so. Until it becomes clear she is too tired to keep going.

    Her resolve cannot defy nature forever. And so it is she writes a letter and sets it out on the table. She is not herself. Her worry is evident in the less clear print she leaves, and her word choice is unusually, well, dramatic and scared.

Lois Lane has posed:
'Clark,

Please wake me after you read this. Do not let me sleep. I want to see you. I need to. I am so sorry I have been away so long, and I promised myself I would stay awake, but I don't think I can.'

    There is some space between that and the next, and a few spots where pen touched paper but did not craft text. Very uncharacteristic of her. Her violet eyes studied the page here, and she wrestled a moment with her pride. But what she saw, what spooked her to wake up, has broken that hold on her. She writes more.


'I have failed as a fiancee. I haven't been around and I haven't changed. When you gave me this ring, it was supposed to mean something from both of us. I haven't kept up my part of the bargain, and so I am giving it back to you. But understand that the answer is and will always be yes, Clark. I want to be with you, but I don't deserve this ring until I show you that I want more than just the next story.'

    The engagement ring sits on the letter. Lois did not cry. She refused to. Instead, she went to bed, curling up and letting herself drift off for the first time in days. She feels guilty for it, but she hopes Clark can save her again.

Superman has posed:
When Lois wakes up coffee wafts in the air. The sun is coming up. And the bed is empty. When she pads into the living room, Clark is there sitting. One leg is draped over the other. An elbow rests on the crossed leg. "I called into work. They know we're both going to be there." That's the first words he speaks. "I wanted you to sleep. I did read the note. The ring hurts, but I see why you did it. So, I thought we could use the day. You wanted to see me. So, I'm here," and by Clark it's not Clark Kent. Nor is it Superman. It's the weird middle ground that appears sometimes. No glasses, but no costume. "Only give back the ring if you don't want it," Clark says softly knowing she can hear the concern in his voice.

Lois Lane has posed:
    Lois opens her eyes slowly, then is bolt upright. She was sleeping deeply, but her head clears instantly. He's here. She looks herself over. She is rather crumpled up, having slept in her clothes. She pauses to look in the mirror. She has looked worse, she supposes, but she really should look better.

    Then she is out to meet him, to hear his voice. She does not sit, but stands before him. His eyes. She knows how intense they are. She will never forget that. She feels like she is on trial and she knows she is guilty.

    "Clark, I... apologies seem so inadequate. But I have to be clear. I want that ring on my finger more than anything else. I can finally say it. More than my awards, more than any other truth. It just took me so long to realize it."

    Lois does not fidget, she does not shy away from his eyes. "I have hurt you, Clark. I want to get it right this time. But I also want you to decide. There is no judgment better than yours. I don't think I'm worthy of that ring. But if you offer it to me, I will spend the rest of my life proving myself wrong."

Superman has posed:
  "Sorry ruffles less feathers," Clark says softly with an amused smile pulling at his lips. "Let's just tackle the day together. No work. No pro bono work, unless it's really serious, and focus on us," he poses out there for her. "We can go to any place. Favorite restaurants, Big Belly, anywhere," he says just tossing out a few options.

"I know you're being down on yourself. And yes, a check in would go far. However, I've made the same mistake," Clark sighs heavily. After everything went dark and came back from it, Clark took on the alias of Jordan Elliot. He wandered across the country on foot. Reminded himself why he puts on a costume. And he was afraid to send out any messages. Lois knows he felt terrible about that.

Clark thinks about it. He stands up and takes her note, crumples it up and puts it in the trash.

"Your flight to Metropolis landed about an hour ago. You're rushing home. You've already called in for us," Clark looks at her. "Think on your feet Lane, what will you do?" and it may take her a moment, but it may dawn on her. Clark's giving her a chance. No note. No self-chiding. A chance to greet him as herself. As if their ships weren't just passing in the night, but a direct course. Something both of them have needed.

"Your move Lane. I usually shower and shave around this time," and he will slip to the bathroom giving her room to breathe. Room to think on her feet, prepare.

Lois Lane has posed:
    Lois puts the ring out of her mind. For now. She is getting a second shot at this. One thing Lois never does is surrender. Once Clark is in the shower, she is grinning to herself.

    She does not change. That takes too long. But some buttons on her blouse are undone, her hair straightened out. Skirt adjusted. Plans made.

    She approaches the bathroom. She doesn't hesitate. The door is pushed open and she drapes herself against the frame, her left leg lifted to set her foot against it, striking a very confident, revealing pose. The skirt glides its way up past the knee, but not too far.

    "Hey Smallville," she calls out playfully, "Get cleaned up. We're going out. I hope you have your wits about you, cause I have quite a day planned. I hate to give things away, but I hope your dancing shoes are ready. We're going to need them tonight."

Superman has posed:
Clark is still wearing what he was, a pair of dark blue slacks and a simple white t-shirt. The kind he wears as either an undershirt or something that could get dirty on the farm. They're simple and they're cheap.

"Promises promises Lois," Clark gives a smile then he nods. He'll grab the work glasses. Slipping those on sky blue eyes become a dull blue. Then he will be quick to go to the closet to get ready a suit. Nothing at superhjuman speeds, but the actions do have a hurried. pace. Before long he's there in a dark blue suit, a simple red tie that's a little darker so it doesn't completelys teal the gaze. The simple black dress shoes and a different pairhe will bring with via his work satchel.

Lois Lane has posed:
    While Clark is dressing, Lois quickly gets herself a bit more ready. Her make up is not perfect, but she already looks a million times better. She's smiling. She tilts her head at the mirror. "So that's where I left you," she murmurs, reaching out to tap the glass.

    Clark will have to forgive her for throwing her clothes off and going right for one of her little black dresses. She has several, but this is a favorite. She gets her shoes on and laughs at the mirror as she spares it a quick glance. Loud enough to be heard, she comments, "Still got it, girl."

    tShe will head to where Clark is and raise her hand. "One moment. My finger's naked." She will go to the table, pick up her ring, and put it back on. "There. Now I'm dressed."

    She slips right to Clark's side. "It's good to be back where I belong. Oh, and... thanks. You are always catching me when I fall."

Superman has posed:
Clark lets out a small chuckle when she talks about still having it. Moving to the living room, he'll watch her keep getting ready. Then Lois retrieves the ring. That's when Lois will notice that his is still on. Like it never left.

A second later she's at his side. "Well, you've caught me, too. It's not just me doing all the catching," and then Clark starts to step out. "Tell me where to go Lane. You said you had a plan. So, what's the plan?" he knows this will be an interesting one.

Lois Lane has posed:
    "First things first, Smallville," replies Lois. "We need a quick bite to eat. Plenty of daylight left before we cut a rug." She grins and looks thoughtful. "It's been a while since I ate anything better than airport fare, honestly. I want something that is pure America. Burgers. And I don't care if people stare at us for being dressed up. Let them die of envy cause I have the best guy and I'm not letting him out of my sight." She'll be going (not so subtly!) to the site of their first date.

    She is already planning her next steps. Sure, she has most of it laid out in her head, but she wants to nail this day. To pour months of time into it.

Superman has posed:
Clark gives a nod and then smirks. "You sure about that one? I mean Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne exist in this world," Clark points out as they make their way to Rex's. A small local burger joint that may not "WOW!" people, but it's solid. A good burger with no fuss, no muss. They expiriment a little bit, but nothing like a nacho cheeseburger, etc.

It started because it's close to the office. A late night, or a long day, that ended ona really good note.

Inside rex's is a mixture of a small diner and a simple fast order restaurant. Lots of booths that look nice, but are obviously a good 10 to 20 years old. The brown tables, red innards and everything else.

Clark and Lois are overdressed for Rex's, just like they were the first time. Both are just bright eyed and bushy tailed compared to the first time.

Lois Lane has posed:
    Lois laughs softly at the thought of Stark and Wayne. "Oh Clark, they simply cannot compete with you on any level." She is excited about being here again. Others may be fancier, but this, this is their place. If any place could claim it outside the Daily Planet.

    She will settle in and get comfortable. Lois can't seem to stop smiling. "It feels like ages, doesn't it? Hmm. What were you thinking, the first time we came here?" She grins playfully, "Other than 'wow, does she ever stop talking about work?'"

    She tries to recall the memories herself. Looking back, she thinks she understands herself better. Thoughts that she wasn't even aware of back then are so obvious now. So many little missed connections. And then now. Getting it right.

Superman has posed:
"Many would say the opposite," Clark says honestly. To him, they're the ones that seem amazing on paper. Clark sees himself as a piece of apple pie, something traditional and mid western. This isn't a bad thing, but it doesn't stand out either.

"It does feel like ages ago," Clark chcukles a little bit, "I was nervous. I was hoping you didn't stare at me eating or thinkg I ordered something strange. I know you don't care so much now, but everything was so new back then," he looks at her for a moemnt.

"Why did you say 'Yes' anyway?" he's curious on this one.

Lois Lane has posed:
    Lois will just agree to disagree on Clark being the best. Even capes aside, she knows who she is with and all he has to offer. She has to not get mushy yet, though. This day has to be timed just right. To make the ending all the sweeter.

    "Considering how picky I am? I can't imagine anyone more troublesome to order for."

    His question is a great one. It takes her time to properly express it. She grins when she finally decides how best to explain it.

    "Lois today can give you a better answer on this. Back then, I /thought/ I agreed because I was always giving you such a bad time about everything. I couldn't decide if you were my rival, someone I had to train, or something quite different. But looking back, you were just a great partner. No matter what I said or did, you were never discouraged. You never gave up. I didn't realize, of course, the fullness of all that you are back then. I'm not /that/ insightful. But I believe I sensed that this was more than a friendship. It's a bit odd, but I was also very curious. About how it would feel to go out with someone like you. You were always the most honest and just, well, /good/ guy I ever knew."

Superman has posed:
Clark settles in and will order his patty melt. Listening to Lois as she talks about the past. How everything is now compared to the past. His dull blue eyes watching her for a few moments. Adjusting a little bit in his seat, he listens.

Eventually the drinks come. Clark has a diet soda with grenadine in it. Those eyes never leave Lois.

"I always thought you just pitied me. Like, 'I'll give this bumpkin a chance,'" Clark knows that he's not everyone's cup of tea.

"What would you tell your past self before that first date?" a brow raises for a moment. Yes, that question is a little bit of challenge. It's a question of insight.

"And you do have better insight than you think."

Lois Lane has posed:
    "What would I tell her? Honestly, I think it is better she figure it out herself. We wound up sitting here, right now. How could anything make it better? Still, that is kind of a cop out."

    Lois grins, taking a drink of her.. coke? She is feeling nostalgic, apparently. Well, at least she orders diet these days.

    "So I would say this to young me: 'Shut up and listen. You never listen to anyone, but if you think I will take any of that I'll spike you with my heels. You may think you are smart and worldly, but right now you are just lucky. Leave the notepad at home. Get rid of those pens. For once in your life focus, cause this is going to be the most important night of your life. Trust me, you will wish you could remember it more clearly when you get older.' Hm. That should just about do it, I think. How about you, Clark? What words of wisdom for your younger self would you share?"

    She leans forward, smiling eagerly. As a reporter she always loves getting answers, but this is a whole different kind of enjoyment. And notably: no pad, no pen. She doesn't even have her phone with her. The world is clearly about to end.

Superman has posed:
"I mean that makes sense. It's why people say they don't want to undo their past because it changes the present," Clark says of the "cop out" answer. Dull blue eyes just continue to focus.

"Most important night?" Clark raises an eyebrow as he's a little dubious of that answer. "Maybe fourth or fifth," he adds thinking the first major job interview, maybe the awards, etc. Anything like that, really.

"I'm still worried I haven't seen your phone come out," he asks. He's curious what this means.

And the question comes back to him. So, he thinks on it. "'You know how reporter with her is? She keeps you moving and on your toes? Well, there's a higher gear when you're more than a work partner,'" he answers honestly. No warning about what he should do. Just a message that's a round about way of saying, "Get ready for a trip."

Lois Lane has posed:
    "The tricky thing about regrets are, if you really think about them, they can only exist if you are so confident that you know what is best that you are willing to risk every smile you've ever had."

    She is clearly letting herself live in the moment tonight. It's different when her full attention is on him. There is no story boiling in the back of her head. Tomorrow. It can wait until then.

    "No. Most important. Our first meeting would be the competition for it, but it gets to the point where every moment leading to that one has to be viewed in the right lens. Would any of those things been as important without that first date? And since then, which has brought me more joy."

    Clark's answer amuses her to no end. She smiles and lowers her eyes for just a moment. She shakes her head, then those violet eyes lift to stare into Clark's eyes. The glasses may dull that blue, but she knows what they really look like.

    "And now we are in that higher gear. Who knows, maybe this is the highest gear. Everything up here," she taps her temple, "Is locked right on you, Smallville."

    There is a silence that follows. Letting that linger in the air. When she decides to end it, though, it is with another confession, "The Pulitzer mattered to me. I won't deny it. It validated my choices. It showed my father that I made a difference even if I wasn't following him into the service. And it gave me leverage when dealing with Perry, of course. But as time has passed, somehow it feels like it has grown less important as more accomplishments rolled-in. But that first date? It feels like it grows more important every day, Clark. Every. Single. Day."

Superman has posed:
"What you're discussing is like the first Domino to all those internet videos you see. Where it becomes more complex and interesting with each move. Crazy things happen along the way, but none of it happens without that first, uninteresting seeming domino," he says. That's how he sees it anyway. First date could not exist without that domino. The first this, or that, could not survive without the first date, and so on.

"You make it sound like there's some higher gear even I don't know about, Metropolis," Clark says honestly there. Also, he's trying to let that really settle in there. Maybe make her curious what eh's thinking. OR at the very least let her know he suspects something.

Lois Lane has posed:
    "Though I would say the first date was not uninteresting. You have a way of making your wonderful self seem boring that is kind of art. But reporter Lois Lane has learned -slowly- to see beyond that guise of yours."

    Her tone is playful, and she can't help but feel incredibly upbeat. He's here, the whole dramatic mood of her morning is dispelled. She wanted time with him. And for a change she /made/ time to be with him.

    Calling her Metropolis gets her laughing out loud! All smiles, now. But her eyes narrow, conveying a sense of mystery or danger that her grin totally ruins.

    "Oh, Smallville, trust me. There are gears of me that even I only suspect exist. But now that I'm with you, I'm really starting to see how they work."

    A pause. Her eyes on his, not straying. A playful finishing comment.

    "Have I captured your interest?"

Superman has posed:
"I don't know what you're talking about," Clark says of that guise. He'll even push up the glasses with his middle finger. Not a rude gesture, just a measured motion he does.

"That's almost a scary thought, Lois," he knows that everyone has parts of themselves they don't see until it happens. It makes sense she has them. It 's still a little scary that someone as bodacious as Lois Lane has these, too.

"You had my interest since the words 'Dancing Shoes.' I'm not sure what to expect, or what you're planning. I'm not sure if I should cheer or to feel like a worm on a big hook," Clark says honestly. There's a soft yet hesitant smile upon his face.

Lois Lane has posed:
    Lois can be playful. She -is- playful. She is genuinely the happiest she can recall being. But she doesn't want to bog Clark down in her emotional epiphanies. Not yet. Not here. After all, there is a burger to eat! And hers comes with everything on it. Extra pickles. It makes an otherwise modest selection quite the thing to deal with! She refuses to use a fork and knife. That's not the American way.

    "Well, honestly, maybe you should feel that way and cheer, too?" replies Lois. That smile turns into a more calm expression. "Have I told you that I love you in the past five minutes?" The grin returns.

    She pauses to focus on eating. This also gives him some room to brace himself. She's feeling charitable, using this pause to let him take a swing at gaining a handle on the conversation. She is all over the place. Only fair to give him a moment's respite.

Superman has posed:
Honestly, sometimes Clark likes melty cheese on things. It's not every time, or even half the time. Just when he wants it, Clark will get it that way. That's most of the point with the patty melt, just with cheddar cheese instead of the standard. Extra ketchup, which makes him dig the sandwich since it's hard to make the thing with the ketchup on.

"Lois, I will always cheer when it comes to you. Sometimes you're a Tornado, lane. I don't know how to brace for it sometimes," Clark says that and he smiles. "I mean that in a good way. It keeps me on my toes, but it's still very hard to prepare for," then she is outwardly affectionate. It's not that she hasn't, but Lois is going above and beyond. Lois is making it a point to say it. A point to convince him.

"Did something scare you when it comes to us?" Clark asks as he is curious on that one. Not that Lois was in trouble, but they definitely need a tune up. In Clark's mind, Lois sees it like a car needing to replace the engine and Clark sees it as a much needed oil change. Maybe some tires to go with it? Just something that's not -as- extreme.

Lois Lane has posed:
    "I will not be able to change that part of me," says Lois. "I will always be a bit of a whirlwind, Clark. However... yes. Something did scare me. I have no doubts about you. I trust you completely. I will explain what it was later. After we have some fun."

    Lois is delaying that one. She knows he will never make fun of her. But she also knows she does not want to cry, nor express something so, well, unremarkable in the world of violence that she tends to report on.

    She is not wasting time. How she can eat so fast, not make a mess, and also not even look like she's hurrying is a mystery Sherlock Holmes could never solve.

    "How about on your side of things? Don't some aspects of our relationship of late scare you? At least just the littlest bit?"

Superman has posed:
"There wouldn't be a ring on your finger I was trying to change that. I know what to expect there. You'll always be like the top of a rollercoaster. Something you remember wanting. Something you look forward to experience. When you finally get to that peek. There's anticipation, excitement, a build up, but then that pause comes forward. And you have a moment you brace yourself. You know it's going to hit; you know it will be a Hell of a ride. You just don't know how to feel -exactly- until it's all over and you want to go on it again," Clark explains and he pulls up a finger. "And that's nowhere near as bad as that sounds."

Clark eats fast to begin with. So, he is not too far behind her. "You don't want that answer, Lois. Let's just say, if I didn't have some faith, I wouldn't be here right now," Clark says softly. He knows the answer may cut too deep. That could knock the wind out of anyone's sails. He doesn't want to do that especially when he knows, she's trying. "I love you too, by the way."

Lois Lane has posed:
    "I hope not. It sounds awful," replies Lois. She is doing a nuanced dance around the very real, very scary fact that she came within days, perhaps hours of throwing away everything. She knows it. Clark is clearly aware, since he was the one she was hurting.

    His response is to the point. Lois can't be sure why she asked. It sure wasn't the smartest question of the day. She pulls away from that. This day is both about the past, but more about the future. She just has to keep her heart and mind in the right place for a few more hours, and then a few more, and then more after. For at least the vast majority of the rest of her life.

    Lois waits until Clark is done and carelessly sets money out on the table. It's more than the meal should cost. More than a generous tip would make it. But she wants to keep moving.

    "We're still climbing, Smallville. The plunge will have to wait a bit longer." She offers her hand to him after she gets up. Her smile is all confidence. Her heart is pounding. She knows he can hear it. Sometimes people think she's fearless. But right now, her heart is telling a very different story. But she is courageous. She is a fighter.

    "Next stop is going to be another bit of the past, Clark. We're not dancing just yet, though."

    The next stop will be where Superman first saved Lois. But Lois is taking a scenic route. They are going to walk through the park. Not at a brisk pace. Lois is slowing down. For a while, there is just the sound of their shoes on the pavement.

    "You know, I wish it were warmer out. A picnic would have been great today." Has she ever even gone on a picnic? Is that a thing Lois Lane could possibly survive? They can, at certain times when the trees are clear, catch sight of the Daily Planet's building. Lois is not paying it any mind.

    "I've gone through this park thousands of times," she murmurs softly. There is an unspoken 'but' that she doesn't give voice to. Clark can already guess. She never really paid attention to this place before now.

Superman has posed:
Clark notes all the money she tosses about. Another brow raises up, but doesn't last long. Between previous actions, the money and how the heart races, Clark knows something bad happened. Lois has never been this scared before.

"You're stronger than you know Lane," Clark speaks honestly. Just a small tip of the hand, something he knows.

A nod comes from Clark as she talks about the past. "Lois. What has you so spooked?" Clark asks with obvious concern in his voice. Those dull blue eyes focus on her for a moment. He's genuinely concerned.

"I can always take you some place to go on a picnic," he offers. It wouldn't be the same, but that's always an option.

"There's still time to enjoy this." Thinking on it, "Erasers are on pencils, Lane. They undo mistakes so the corrections can be made," he says just trying to offer that to Lois. Just him trying to ease her mind.

Lois Lane has posed:
    When he mentions her strength, she smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. He can always see through her. She shakes her head at some thought. Then, abruptly, she stops.

    "Time is what I saw, Clark. I... did not want to do this until later, though." She makes up her mind. The pace is not exactly a rush, but it picks up. She found a place for this. A place that is new. A place that has no stain, no memory of her not paying attention. No story. No monster that was fought.

    Lois is usually pretty good at getting where she wants to go, but in this moment everything feels a bit harder. "Please bear with me, just a bit more.."

    And they arrive at a building, ride an elevator, and step off into a fancy club that is opening tonight. In... three hours. Lois is in no mood to wait, though, and the door, surprisingly enough, is not locked. Inside, staff is scrambling to get ready.

    They are so distracted that they don't even have time to worry about a couple barging in. They don't reach to Lois leading her way to a dance floor. Music is playing. Something slow enough to fit the mood.

    "There. Straight to the good part, Clark. You wanted to know..." She pauses. She catches her breath for a moment. Her heart grows still. "Care to dance?" she asks then, smiling. Her heart, though, it takes off. This is her plunge.

Superman has posed:
"Time?" Clark asks. His own struggles with time deal with immortality. Or somehow living a very long life. Lois doesn't seem the type to question time. The pair suddenly rush off. Both moving in an unexpected direction, especially Clark.

They're going to the club. Clark sees the people scrambling, he can hear the measured chaos as they move. Everyone's scrambling. They could do a dance, maybe two, before people would notice.

Still, he follows her and then Lois asks her question. For a moment Clark might respond like Lois, but then he pivots from taht response. "I thought you'd never ask," and he holds out a hand. Inwardly he feels like something big is coming. Like they haven't gone over the edge yet.

Lois Lane has posed:
    She moves in close as she dares. There is something of an uncertainty. Lois wants nothing more than for him to pull her close. To sink into him completely. To somehow in a dance make it all right again.

    For a time, it is just a dance. Lois searching in Clark's eyes. But she owes him an explanation. She has been too mysterious.

    "I was working on a human trafficking story in Belgrade. I was in deep, like usual. My contact was a young woman who I only knew by Elena. She had been telling me how it works, helping tip me on to the right people. The rich clients, dictators, stars of the screen, the usual."

    This story, thus far, is pretty simple. It's typical Lois being Lois. Yet her heart is pounding and her breathing is different. She feels a chill running through her.

    "One day I was walking with Elena down the same road we always did. I remember it was a pretty cold day, but nothing so unusual. Out of nowhere, I heard... I don't know. Like a small explosion. Before I knew what was happening, she was struck by a tire that had come off a truck. It hit the back of her head. She was gone in moments."

    Her dancing falters, her face crumbles into a mix of emotions. And then she fights back. No. No tears! She has no right to cry!

    "I've seen people die so many times. They were shot, or taken away by some huge natural disaster, or any one of so many ways with a clear actor, a cause, sometimes even a meaning, and a horrible outcome. But Elena died to nothing, for nothing, leaving nothing. Not even a real name. Her family will never know what happened to her."

    Lois stops for now. She forces her violet eyes to look up into Clark's face. "I have made a lot of decisions in my life. Most of them without thinking. Most of them without even noticing. I don't want to live like that any more. I don't want to let ambition or pride or all the rest yank me by the neck from place to place. I refuse to lose the best thing in my life."

    Lois tenses and adds, defiantly, "I'm not going to just sit by and watch my lack of self-awareness hurt the man I love."

Superman has posed:
Clark has a lot to say, but he focuses on two things. Putting his arms around Lois and then speaking softly. "You know the what, you know the when, you know the where, you know why, but do you know the 'How?'" Clark asks to that last part. "How will you stop that pain?" There are two unofficial questions paired with who, what, where, when and why. There is the how? And the how much? The last one is situational dependent.

Lois Lane has posed:
    It takes all she has to keep herself from falling apart. Something about his arms is safe. It is home. So safe she might even be able to cry there. But not right now. Clark has asked her a question, and at this moment, her mind is anything but clear. She has to pay attention.

    "I want to stay with you tonight. And wake with you in the morning. I want to be there with you tomorrow night, and ask what your day was like over dinner. I know we have jobs to do. I am not saying that will change. But I can be so much better at putting us first."

    She has a lot of specifics to share, but she waits. He feels so warm. Right now, she needs to pay attention to that. To let it sink so deep into her memory that it never leaves her.

    "We are worth fighting for, Smallville," she says, laughing softly. "I know I can do what matters most."

Superman has posed:
Clark's quiet again. There are no words. Suddenly, he scoops her up. It looks effortless and to him, it certainly is. Then he starts to move them in a different direction.

An advantage of X-Ray vision is how he knows where to go. Where to turn, what door to go into and most importantly, the safest window to drop out of. Yes, Clark opens a window and suddenly flies off quickly holding Lois.

They're suddenly back in the apartment. "You don't need time. You need to know home is where you left it. How you left it. And with the exception of a coat of paint, home is still there. A little elbow grease will make it just as good as yuou remember," Clark says softly and then looks at Lois. "You're home."

Lois Lane has posed:
    Lois is breathless, but used to flying with Clark. And yet, this, too... a chance to take it in. To feel the cold air and his warmth. To notice little things, like the way his eyes look in flight, and the feel of the wind in her hair. Even that emotional sense of safety even though the ground is quite far away.

    Then they are home. She keeps her mouth shut and just listens to Clark. Those words save her. He always saves her when she really needs it.

    Her pulse returns to that unique rhythm that is just her. Steady, confident, with that hint that at any moment, it might go racing off in excitement.

    Close as they are, she hasn't far to throw herself, really. Yet she does, and into a kiss, she hopes. If he consents to it, it may be the most fiery kiss he's ever experienced from her. That other gear she was aluding to.

Superman has posed:
Clark hears the heartbeat steady itself. And hee gives a soft smile. Whatever happens, he believes this will work out somehow. Then she suddenly kisses him fiercely, passionately.

Both brows go up at first. An initial shock just from the moment.Before long the brows lower and he kisses her back with te same passion. She talked about being spontaneous. Going by the moment. This is the moment. This is being random and it's why he's kissing back with the same emotion.

Lois Lane has posed:
    Warmth turns to a fire so bright it is nearly blinding. The moment is what matters. The moment is all anyone really has. What follows is a wonderful, passionate haze of warmth and intensity.

    In Clark's arms again, Lois is home at last.