Well, THIS is a fine kettle of fish...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_loislane_/]

Lois Lane is not the most patient person in the world. This fact is known throughout Metropolis, the news media, and half of the globe. Her idea of packing is opening a suitcase and throwing in whatever she might need for a few days and then buying whatever she forgot once she gets there. Easy peasy.

This is different. This is six months or so of incarcera...hiding. This takes more thought. And the more thought she puts into it, the more she has to pack and unpack and repack, the more pissed she's getting. "How'm I supposed to pack clothes when we both know I won't fit into anything in a few more weeks? I'm already getting pudg--hey, can I take this Smallville High t-shirt to sleep in? Don't forget my laptop cables...."

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_man_of_steel_/]

"Sure." Clark said. "And clothes can be purchased, one way or another, possibly through the JSA Expense account if I can get the right strings pulled...don't forget your notes on that Pokolistan piece you're working on..."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_loislane_/]

"What no...oh, yeah, thanks, Smallville." Lois stands back, takes a swing of grape juice like it's a shot of whiskey, and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.

Then she looks up at Clark. "How is this going to work? You flying in at night to sleep with me? Or is that out, too?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_man_of_steel_/]

"As often as I can. Watchtower teleport system is a beautiful thing. It may not be *EVERY* night, but it's not something we're not used to. When you're on international assignment it's usually months until we're in the same bed at the same place."

"Think of it this way - this could be, once the pregnancy is over, a GREAT piece on the JSA, it's history, it's current doings...you can turn ANY situation into a great story."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_loislane_/]

She keeps stuffing things into the suitcase until it looks like it might pop like a mosquito that's hit an artery, back to her husband. "Right, right. I'll be ready to go as soon as I can get this thing closed."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_man_of_steel_/]

Clark leans over and gently pushes on the suitcase. It closes with a snap.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_loislane_/]

Lois looks down at the suitcase for a few seconds, then up at Clark, and a tear slides down her face, a tear she angrily brushes away. "I don't know what's wrong with me," she laughs harshly. "You're right. Not like we don't spend most of our time apart. If I need anything, people will be there. Right? Right. Ready to go? I am. Let's go."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_man_of_steel_/]

"Ummm...no." Clark pauses. "I know you're not happy about this arrangement. Neither am I. But six months is worth it if it means having you and our child alive, well, and making my life interesting."

He pauses. "Don't think I won't miss being with you. Every time we're apart, I do. But I wouldn't dream for a million years to ask you to adjust your life for me."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_loislane_/]

"It's not that...." She goes so far as to kick the piece of luggage at her feet. "I know it's the right thing to do. I know that, I know that, I know that. I hate it. I hate doing the right thing. I want ... just... damn it, make sure you get to me as much as you can. You got that, Smallville?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_man_of_steel_/]

Clark smiles at Lois, places his hands to each side of her waist, and kisses her gently on the forehead. "Always, my bride. Always. Now, where am I taking you for dinner tonight? Don't feel limited to the continent, I intend to enjoy you before you're dropped off in NY."

He pauses. "Enjoy you? I meant enjoy being WITH you. Oh, who am I kidding."

He kisses her. This time on the lips. One of those slow, deep kind that seem to last for three days.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_loislane_/]

She clings to him, really, in the way she does when she's so damned glad she's married to this man, so damned glad he's in her life. So she kisses the hell out of him...

"Pasta," she then whispers against his mouth. Ah, sweet nothings.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_man_of_steel_/]

"Milan, Venice or La Trattoria's downtown?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_loislane_/]

"Somewhere private where I can enjoy my husband one last night before I get stored away in the meat locker," Lois laughs, hanging onto him the way she can because she's married to Superman. "Actually, know what? How about...Kansas?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_man_of_steel_/]

"You know we have to visit if we stop in the state, right? Actually, though, it might be a good idea to warn Ma and Pa before we go public with this."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_loislane_/]

"It's a good idea. And that's what I'd really like, Clark. Just somewhere quiet. Besides, Ma's mac and cheese is pasta. Pretty tasty too. Can we go there before heading to New York?"

Look, Kal, here's your wife's big-eyed puppy pleading look, smile and all. Awww.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_man_of_steel_/]

Clark gives this look of annoyance.

Yeah, it's pretty unconvincing. He knows it too, and laughs before opening his cell phone. "Ma, it's Clark. Got room for two more for dinner? Lois wants your mac and cheese. No, she doesn't know you've been using Kraft all of these years."

Lois can hear the "CLARK KENT!" over the phone from where she stands.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. We'll be there in a couple hours, we'll be staying overnight." A pause. "Maybe two nights."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_loislane_/]

Lois laughs. Something about the Kents...Smallville isn't her style, but the visits there always feel like coming home, only to a home she'd never really known before. "And get grape juice, please! Plus milk. Thanks!"

Then she pinches Clark. On the backside.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_man_of_steel_/]

Yep. Buns of Steel.

"Once we get there, I can come back and make sure the bulk of your necessities get to the Brownstone before settling in with you for a couple of quiet nights. You ready?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_loislane_/]

"About as ready as I'll be." Lois looks around a moment at the apartment then smiles and wraps her arms around Clark again. "Let's go. I'm hungry."