Different

In this next chapter, Martha and Lois have a heart-to-heart, Lois and Clark try, without success, to get the Blur out of their lives, and Perry and Lois come to a startling realization. I hope you enjoy it. Please read and review. Thanks, everyone!! Read on!

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Chapter 4: The Three of Us

Previously:

“Clark, we can do this. Come on, we don’t have time to wallow in regret,” Chloe said and punched in the computer all the names of the Justice League and Justice Society members. All the biographies came up onto the monitor, but only a handful were actually available. She then opened all communication and visual access codes.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I know this is short notice, we have a crisis on our hands. There are few things you should know about Zod,” he said getting right to the point.

~o~o~

After getting off the phone with Perry, Martha side-stepped Lois’ question, but informed her that Perry would be coming to dinner, and he wanted both her and Clark there.

“Perry White is coming to dinner?” Lois asked excited to hear the news and couldn’t help noticing Martha’s blush. “So, you two are close?” She asked happy for her.

“Yes, we are, he’s in town interviewing for the editor position at the Planet,” Martha said.

“Really?” Lois’s mind was thinking of ways to get their jobs back. “I’ll be here and I’m sure Clark will be too,” Lois said hoping that Perry would get the job. “So, tell me, Martha, where did you two meet?”

Martha knew Lois wasn’t going to let it go. “We met years ago as friends here in Smallville.”

“Oh, I see, and he looked you up again in Washington?” Lois’s reporter instincts kicked in.

“Yes, he interviewed me for an article he was doing about women in Congress, and we hit it off. He really is an incredible newspaper reporter, Lois. He’s been doing it for a long time. He went through a rough patch a while back but he got his life back on track.”

“Did you have anything to do with that, Martha?” Lois couldn’t seem to stop herself. She loved love stories.

“No, not really, but he’s a very strong person, strong-willed, upstanding, wanting to see the truth, and wanting to help people. Now that I think about it, he’s a lot like you and Clark. If he gets the job, you, Perry and Clark would make an incredible team.”

Lois hung her head wanting to tell her what happened, but ashamed.

“Lois, what is it? Tell me,” Martha encouraged her.

“I know Clark wanted to tell you about this himself, but Clark and I were fired yesterday,” Lois said and hung her head again.

“Fired?” Martha was shocked. “But how did this happen?”

Clark heard that last part as he came into the house with his arms full of groceries.

“Clark, why don’t you tell me what happened?” Martha encouraged his son.

“I’m sorry, Martha, none of this is Clark’s fault. It’s mine. I’m always getting into trouble for that all important story, so please don’t blame him.”

“No, Lois, it was me. You see, Mom …” Clark began trying to explain.

Leave it to them to stand up for each other. Martha held up her hands. “No, don’t say another word. What matters now is how are you going to get your jobs back?”

Lois and Clark spoke at the same time. “Beats me.”

Martha stared between the two of them. Talk about two peas in a pod.

~o~o~

Dinner time at the Kent Farm:

Clark, Martha, and Perry were all waiting for Lois to arrive. She was only a few minutes late. Clark heard the car coming and went out to meet her. They hadn’t had a chance to be alone or to talk since that morning. As soon as he saw her get out of the car, he stopped dead in his tracks. He stood there staring at her. She was so lovely. This happens every time I’m near her. He forced his feet to move. Feeling tongue-tied, he managed to speak. “Hi,” he said feeling strange.

Lois sensed the awkwardness between them, but she wasn’t surprised by it. It’s not the same between them, but she knew they could get past this awkward stage. It would take time. “Hi, yourself,” she said and smiled.

Clark immediately relaxed. He couldn’t help himself. Feeling bold, he took her in his arms and kissed her. Lois responded immediately. Clark pulled back knowing they couldn’t start anything now. “Why did you wear that dress Lois? I won’t be able to have a coherent conversation thinking about wanting to rip it off.”

Lois smiled liking that reaction very much. “Oh, you like it?” She left his arms and twirled for his inspection. It was blue this time, not too low cut, but just enough to tease his senses with what lay underneath.

“Yeah, I do.” Shaking his head for a moment, trying to get some control. He took her hand and headed to the house.

“Clark, wait, before we go in, I have something to tell you,” Lois said and steeled herself for his reaction. “The Blur called me right after you left my apartment this morning. He must have been watching us.”

Clark closed his eyes, his jaw worked. Lois would think it was jealousy, but it was far worse than that. If Zod were standing here in front of me right now, I would lose it.

Lois touched his arm. “Please say something,” she asked worried about what he would do.

He opened his eyes and stared at her concerned face. None of this was her fault. It’s mine, all mine. He smoothed her hair away from her face and touched her cheek. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you told me about it. Thank you, Lois,” Clark said trying to bring up a smile.

Lois could see how hard it was for him to accept what happened. She wanted to reassure him of her faith and commitment. “Clark, I think I’m ready to answer your question now.”

Clark couldn’t let her choose. It wasn’t right. He touched her lips stopping her from speaking. “There’s no need to answer that question, Lois. I know how you feel about me and about us. Come on, let’s eat. Are you hungry? Mom has really outdone herself this time,” he said and smiled.

Lois was truly relieved and very happy. “I’m starved,” she said and squeezed his hand.

~o~o~

Just when Lois and Clark were accepting the fact that the Blur was no longer a part of their lives, Perry wouldn’t stop talking about him.

“I’ve read all your articles about the Blur, Lois, and every time your articles are published, readership spikes through the roof. It’s amazing the difference in circulation,” Perry said wondering why his talk of the Blur was bringing looks and glances from around the table. “Am I missing something?" He asked confused by the strange vibes he was getting.

“Perry, Lois and Clark have something to tell you,” Martha said.

“We’re not employed at the Planet anymore, Mr. White,” Lois said.

“Oh, I see, and please call me Perry. Well, I’m pretty confident I’ll get the editor's job. I’ve been following the paper for years, and I know your value to the paper. Both of you, and if I’m hired, your jobs are secure.”

“Perry, you can’t promise them jobs, when you don’t have a job yourself,” Martha admonished him.

“Martha, I know what the paper has been through these past few years. They need me, and they need both of you, it’s as simple as that,” Perry said even more confident.

Lois and Clark stared at each other, held hands under the table, and smiled at this turn of events.

“Now, the first thing we do is to get you talking to the Blur, Lois. We need to know more about him. Where did he come from? Where did he get that costume? Did he make it himself? Does he have a girlfriend? What’s his name? You know, stuff our readers want to know,” Perry asked Lois and Clark as he chewed his food. “Martha, this food is to die for. Thank you for inviting me,” Perry said unaware of any more uncomfortable silences appearing around the table.

Martha felt bad for both Lois and Clark, but what could she say now? She sent them an apology with her eyes.

Lois and Clark didn’t know what to think about Perry and his plans for the Planet. After Perry had left and Martha had gone to bed, they were standing by her car waiting to say goodnight.

“Are you alright, honey?” Clark asked concerned about her.

Lois smiled at his endearment for her. It was so sweet. “I will be once you get in this car and come with me to my place.”

Clark couldn’t think of anything he wanted more, but he had to get to the Watchtower in a little while. Instead, he said “we should probably talk about that phone call,” he said putting Lois on the defensive.

Lois sighed. “Clark, please don’t think about him. I didn’t answer the phone. I deleted the message. What else do you want me do?” She asked getting annoyed.

“But what if Perry gets that editor’s job, then what?” Clark asked concerned that Lois would have to take the Blur’s calls no matter what he said.

“I can’t think about that right now.” She tried to change the subject away from the Blur. “Are you sure I can’t change your mind?” Lois asked coming closer.

“You know I want to, but with Mom here, I think I should stay here tonight,” he said hating lying to her.

“I see, well, I’ll see you tomorrow, good night, Clark,” Lois ignored his attempt to kiss her, started the car and didn’t look back as she drove away.

“Good night, Lois,” Clark said wanting desperately to go after her. “Damnit!” He exclaimed running his hands through his hair, hating his double life more than ever, as he began to realize that this distance between them could get worst as long as she was in the dark about his true identity.

Martha was at the front door and heard part of their conversation. She went back up the stairs and quickly made a few quick phone calls.

~o~o~

On the drive back to her apartment, Lois began to wonder about her relationship with Clark. What am I going to do with him? I’m beginning to wonder if sleeping together had been a bad idea. Clark seems way too preoccupied, even more so than usual. No, I have to stop thinking this way. Clark and I are meant to be together. I know we are. We just have to get our priorities in order. First, we get our jobs back, and then everything else will fall into place. It’s like we’re floundering, with no purpose and no direction.

As she was about to pull up to the Talon, she spotted Mr. White heading into the hotel. She quickly made a u-turn, exited the car, and called out to him. “Mr. White, do you have a minute to talk? I know it’s late.”

“Oh, good evening Lois. Sure, I have a few minutes. What’s up?”

“Would you like some coffee? I’m buying,” Lois asked smiling.

“Lead the way,” Perry said curious as to what she wanted.

After ordering coffee and sitting down to drink, Lois had something to show him, hoping he would be able to help her. She decided to get right to the point. “I know you’re going to think I’m crazy, but there are aliens among us, Mr. White. Here, take a look at this,” she said and showed him the symbol of Rao.

She definitely got his attention. Perry also pulled out an almost exact copy of the same symbol.

They both smiled.

TBC!

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A/N: These first four chapters were written before Hostage aired, and my muse is still in her mode, but the next chapter will wrap up the S9 finale, and then we'll move on to the next phase of their relationship, which I cannot wait to write!! I hope you liked it. Thanks for reading.