CHAPTER 10 - A FRESH START

The following Monday, Lois and Clark were moving boxes of desk supplies and personal supplies to their new office upstairs. Between the original tornado devastation piece that they had covered, along with their 3-part story on the murder of the real Zac Easton and Aaron Jacobs, Perry White had been ecstatic to tell them of the soaring rating the Planet experienced, and the fact that they were both benefiting from it with big promotions, a shared private office upstairs, and of course, each would be receiving a handsome pay raise.

The couple walked in the door to their apartment that evening after a long day of moving, unpacking, and working.

"I am exhausted," Lois said flopping down on the couch with Clark right beside her.

"Me too," he said interlacing his fingers with hers. "It's been a long week. I feel like I've barely seen you."

"Smallville," Lois said . "We work together everyday."

"You know what I mean," he said. "I've only been seeing you as Lois Lane, my co-worker. I miss seeing you as Lois Lane-Kent, my wife."

"Do you?" Lois asked him coyly. "What exactly is the difference between Lois Lane, your co-worker, and Lois Lane-Kent, your wife?"

"I think I'd rather show you than tell you," Clark said, leaning in for a kiss.

"Mmm-kay," Lois agreed as Clark's mouth closed in over hers. She felt Clark's hands unbuttoning her blazer, revealing a silky turquoise spaghetti-strap blouse underneath. Lois laid down on the couch, and pulled Clark down with her. Their make-out session was interrupted with a knock on the door. "Ignore it," Lois said, breathlessly.

Clark used his X-ray vision to look and see who was there. "It's Lana," he said, hesitantly. They hadn't seen her since she neutralized the Kryptonite at the warehouse where Aaron held Lois captive.

Lois sighed. "Let her in," she agreed. Clark straightened his own shirt and tie as Lois adjusted her blouse and put her blazer back on.

Clark opened the door and greeted Lana with a warm smile. "Hi, Lana."

"Clark," she said with a big smile, stepping inside their apartment. She leaned up and gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek. "I'm sorry to stop in unannounced. I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Lois and Clark gave each other a playful, flirtatious glance when Lana wasn't looking. "I just got back from my trip to the sun yesterday. I saw from the paper that you two got a great story out of it, and got out safely, but I just wanted to come by and see for myself."

"Lana," Lois greeted her with a warm smile. "I'm so happy you came over."

"I can't stay long," Lana said. "I really just wanted to make sure you two are OK."

"It's nothing a little therapy for some PTSD won't cure in a few years," Lois dryly joked. She looked at Lana and changed to a more serious tone. "But we're alive. Thanks to you." She turned and looked at Clark. "Hey Clark, would you mind putting on a pot of coffee for us really quick?"

"Yeah, sure," Clark said, taking the hint. He left the room.

"Lana, look," Lois said, getting right to the point. "I'm not good at this."

"Lois, you don't have to -" Lana started.

"Yes, I do," Lois told her. "I'm so sorry, Lana. I haven't trusted you from the minute you entered our lives last week. I was ready to peg you as the bad guy. I wanted you to be the bad guy. You've only come into our lives to help, and if it wasn't for you, Clark would for sure be dead, and I have no idea what would have happened to me. I am so sorry that I didn't trust you, Lana. Thank you for everything that you have done for us."

"Thank you, Lois," Lana told her. "Your words mean more to me than you will ever know. I will always love Clark...but I am no longer in love with Clark. I truly just want the best for him, and you are absolutely what is best for him." Lois smiled and looked Clark's direction as he entered into the living room again. He smiled back at her.

Lana cleared her throat. "Well, I better be heading out," she said as she gathered her things.

"Where are you off to?" Clark asked.

"California," Lana answered. "Before I came to Metropolis last week, one of the other scientists from my lab and I had really hit it off. He knows all about my power suit, Kryptonite absorption, everything. I've been pushing him away because I felt like I can't do rescues and lead a normal life without feeling overwhelmed and like I'm letting somebody down, but after spending a few days with you two, it feels like I'm letting myself down if I don't even give it a try."

"Good luck," Clark said coming up behind Lois and putting his hand on the small of her back. "I don't regret the double life at all. I think without Lois here to keep me grounded, I'd let myself get overwhelmed just trying to be Superman. It's a really great feeling to come home to somebody you love."

"Lana, I hope it works out for you and this guy," Lois said to her. "You deserve all the best. And just so you know, our door is always open to you. You're welcome here anytime you would like."

"Thank you," Lana said. "I'll take you up on that offer one day." She took off from their apartment as Clark closed the door behind her.

"So, Mrs. Kent," Clark said, turning Lois around so that she faced him. "You're OK with Lana now?"

"Yes," Lois told him. "I finally know that she is our friend, not our 'frenemy', and we can trust her completely."

"And you know that you're the one I actually *wanted* to marry; you're not the one I married just to fill a void?" Clark asked.

Lois smiled warmly at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I know."

"Are you sure you know?" Clark asked with a flirtatious smile. "Because if there is any doubt in your mind, I would love to show you just how much I love you…." his voice trailed off as he planted little kisses around her earlobe. "...just how happy I am that you are my wife."

"Well…." Lois said, biting her lip at the feel of his kisses. "...I guess it has been a long time since you showed me how much you love me."

"Mmmm," Clark groaned with pleasure. "Too long." With that, he picked Lois up in his arms, bridal-style, and super-sped her to their bedroom.

THE END!