A/N

Sorry for the wait but this last year has been a trial. My dear Mom finally succumbed to the Alzheimer's on Oct 23rd 2010. I wanted to keep her with me forever, but instead I have beautiful memories and many photos. I created a memorial page at triple w ninafortin dot blogspot dot com. If you want to meet my inspiration and the best Mother next to Martha Kent, feel free to visit her there.

Life now is very different. I am just now beinning to get story ideas again and I am wrapping up this one. This is not the last chapter, but it is mostly finished and I will post regularly till its conclusion.

Thanks for hanging in, this chapter is short, but sweet,

Kara

Disclaimer: Superman and his fellow characters are the property of Warner Bros. Studios and DC Comics, and created by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel.

26 Sweetheart

"…Sweetheart," Lois breathes…

Of all the possible names Clark imagines Lois calling him, an endearment is not one. His tongue shrivels and he realizes his mouth is hanging open. He brings his lips together and dry-swallows. "Lois? Clark here -– boring, farm boy, Clark - your willing doormat… Clark."

Lois smiles slowly, looking Clark up and down. "Yes - dependable, not boring; rustic and rugged, farm boy. Doormat? Do I treat you so callously – I'm sorry. You've been so good to me – visiting often – so patient; so… loving.

Frozen in the moment, in the austere cool of the hospital room, Clark feels the heat as if he was looking into the sun. And, to his amazement, Lois continues to speak.

"Clark, I know you have a crush on me… Oh, Sweetie… do you know you do? You can relax – I like you too – in THAT way."

Confused and elated, Clark's eyes widen with fear. "Lois? Maybe I should get… the doctor. You aren't making any sense; did you hit your head on the way back from the bathroom?"

Clark winces – stupid - nothing wrong with her legs. Definitely nothing wrong. With. Legs.

FOCUS, KENT.

Amused, Lois watches Clark fumble and hums a negative. "Uh-uh."

I can't tell her now – if Jason were here, he'd say she was a Xbox with 3 flashing lights and that revealing my true identity might wipe any savegames she has left.

Jimmy!

Raising his eyebrows and slowing his heartrate, Clark makes a wild guess. "A crush, huh? That's what Jimmy told you? That… I… frankly, Lois, I'm shocked he -"

"- Would tell me? Lois replies, with a coy grin.

"No – that he would think that – I've – just - been so concerned about your health."

Lois's sudden embarrassment whitewashes her complexion.

"You don't feel for me… oh my Gosh, I'll kill him."

Clark is transfixed by an eyes-a-blazing hellfire Lane with hospital-translucent skin. So beautiful…

A minute passes.

Weary of waiting for Clark to snap out of his trance, Lois drops her subterfuge. "Um Clark… uh, April fools."

Super-speed to the rescue. Parry to her thrust. "Lois, it's August."

"Yes, Clark, I know what month it is. I even know what year it is. I'm remembering that much. Lois shakes the Daily Planet at him. …And, I have today's paper."

"Right. April fools —- got it, Lois. Gee, your memory is coming back – you know you can always pull the wool over this country boy's eyes."

Lois's eyes already dropped to the paper, she slips her glasses back on and mutters her automatic response, "Right on, Smallville."

In the hospital elevator, Clark rides the way down to the lobby, no energy left in him to make any other escape, he ponders his choices.

That was all so awkward… and unnecessary – I have to tell her.

TBC

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