Prologue

He grabs her by her upper arms and kisses her. He didn't notice the startled expression on her face because his were closed. He pulls her closer to him; his arms moving around her waist with his hands resting on her back. He feels her hand moves to caress his neck as they continue to kiss; their tongues gently caressing the insides of each others mouths. As they kiss, all he could think of is how amazing it feels to have her lips on his at last...

"Clark?"

He comes out of his reverie and looks up to see who's talking to him. "Ms. Mercer," he mutters.

"Where were you just now?" she asks him curiously.

I was somewhere wonderful before you interrupted. "Nowhere special," shrugging his shoulders.

Yeah, right, continuing to look at him. He's thinking about HER again. I just don't understand what he sees in her anyway. She's nothing but a gigantic pain in the ass. "I wanted to ask you if you've heard from your partner over there," tilting her head in the direction of Lois' empty chair.

"Not yet," shrugging his shoulders.

"Well when you do, I want to talk to her pronto," she replies.

Well then why didn't you call instead of coming down here anyway? He looks up at her. "You could have called me and told me that, Ms. Mercer," he says pointedly. "In fact, you could have just called her cell phone."

She narrows her eyes for a moment. "Don't you think I tried calling her? She's not answering her phone."

Don't I know it. Ever since we kissed a week ago, she's been MIA.

There he goes again; drifting off into who knows where. You do know you can call me Tess," she replies; interrupting his thoughts.

"I would rather keep things strictly on a professional level," he replies.

"I see," a thoughtful look on her face. It doesn't look like I'm going to get any work out of him for the rest of the day. "Maybe you should just take the rest of the day off," she tells him.

She wants ME to take the rest of the day off? "I wish I could, but I still have this article to finish up," gesturing towards his computer.

"Look, Mr. Kent," staring intently at him, "I am not asking you. I am TELLING you to take the rest of the day off. That's an order," she says firmly. "In fact, I think you should take the rest of the week off."

Now she wants me to take the rest of the week off? "You want ME to take the rest of the week off?" he says incredulously.

"Yes, Mr. Kent," she replies back. "You've been somewhat distracted the last few days. You need to clear your head." She starts to walk away, then turns back to look at him. "I expect to see you gone in the next five minutes," turning back around and walking away.

He leans back in his chair; a thoughtful look on his face. Maybe it would be a good idea to take a few days off. He quickly finishes up the article he was working and logs off his computer. He grabs his jacket; putting it on. I think I'll take out Dad's old Harley and go for a ride. If that doesn't clear my head, then I don't know what will; smiling to himself as he heads towards the elevator...

A minute later...

Lois is watching Clark and Tess from the stairwell. As soon as she sees Clark enter the elevator, she opens the door and promptly walks back to her desk and sits down; turning on her computer. I just can't look at him right now; beginning to type furiously. Just one look into his baby blues and my knees get weak. She stops typing; leaning back in her chair with a sigh. He's going to want to talk about what happened. I'm just not ready to do that.

"Where have you been?"

She looks up; startled to see Clark standing there. "I thought you left for the day?' staring up at him.

"I forgot my keys," holding them up. "How did you know I was leaving for the day?' he counters in a curious tone. "Unless you were eavesdropping on mine and Tess's conversation?" his eyebrow raised.

"You weren't at your desk and your jacket was missing," she answers quickly.

"That doesn't mean I was gone for the day and you know it," he counters.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."

He comes over to her side of the desk and sits down on the edge; resting his hand over hers. "You've been avoiding me for the last few days - ever since we kissed," gazing down at her. "Don't you think we should talk about that?" he asks her.

She feels a shiver go up and down her spine when his hand rests over hers. How does he do that? She pulls her hand out from underneath hers and picks up a pen. "It's not a good time right now," finally looking up at him.

"Well when will it be a good time, Lois?" he asks her.

All I want to do right now is push him down on my desk and...

"Lois? Are you okay?" picking up her other hand and softly kissing her palm.

She can't keep her eyes off his as his lips make their way to the inside of her wrist. She can't stop herself from moaning ever so slightly as he kisses his way up to the crock of her elbow. But the spell is broken when her phone rings. "I better get that," she whispers; a little breathless as she pulls her arm away to answer the phone. "Lois Lane - Daily Planet?" She listens for a moment. "Yes, Ms. Mercer. How did she know I was back? "I'll be right up," hanging up the phone. "I have to go," abruptly getting up from her chair and walking away.

Not if I have anything to say about it; following her into the elevator.

"What the..." staring at him as the doors closed.

He doesn't answer her; instead pressing the 'Stop' button. The elevator abruptly jerks; throwing her up against him. His arms come around her waist. "I'm not letting you go until we talk about it."

"I have to be in Tess Mercer's office right away," she says nervously; trying in vain to pull out of his arms. I never realized how strong he is. Wow. Out loud she says, "Will you please let me go?" a pleading tone to her voice.

"I said NO," he replies firmly; pushing her up against the back wall.

"NO?" staring incredulously at him.

"That's what I said," a smug expression on his face.

If he weren't so damn sexy, I'd slap that smug look off his face. She finally manages to tear herself away; pressing the button for the elevator to start moving again.

She doesn't turn around; staring at the control panel as the elevator begins to move again. He walks over and stands behind her; his hands resting on the top of her shoulders. "Come on, Lois," he whispers softly in her ear. "Why are you so afraid to talk about it?" He could hear her heartbeat racing a little. "There's no need to be," his lips beginning to leave a trail of soft, moist kisses down the back of her neck.

"Umm," a sigh escaping her lips as he continues to kiss her. But she pulls away when the elevator suddenly stops; the doors opening. "I have to go," quickly rushing out of the elevator. She turns around and catches a quick glimpse of Clark as the doors; a wistful expression on his face.

"It's about time you showed up," Tess retorts; looking up as Lois enters the office and sits down. "Where have you been for the last few days?"

"I had some family business to attend to," lying through her teeth.

"Uh huh," not believing her. "And here I thought it was because Clark Kent kissed you right in the middle of the bullpen," raising her eyebrows at her.

The blood drains from Lois' face; staring in shock at Tess. "That has NOTHING to do with it," snapping back at her. "How did you know I was back anyway?" she pointedly asks her.

"I caught a glimpse of you in the stairwell as I was walking towards the elevator," she retorts; getting up from her chair and making her way around to the front of her desk. She sits down on the edge of it. "The reason I called you up here was that I have an assignment for you."

"What kind of assignment?"

"The daughter of one of the Daily Planet's major investors is getting married in London this coming weekend," she replies. "Her father has requested that I send one of my top reporters to cover it. So I'm sending you," a slight grimace on her face.

"Why me?" the words slipping out before she could stop them.

"My thoughts exactly," Tess says. "He actually requested I send you," frowning a little. She reaches behind her and picks up a manila folder; handing it to her. "This is background information. You might find it helpful."

Maybe this is what I need to clear my head. Get some distance from Clark. "When do I leave?" Lois asks her.

"Tomorrow night. Your flight leaves at 6:00 P.M. out of Metropolis Airport. That'll be all," slipping off her desk and returning to her chair. She sits down as Lois gets up from her own chair and walks over to the door. "Oh and Ms. Lane?" Lois turns around. "You do have a valid passport don't you?"

"I do," she replies; stepping out of the office and closing the door behind her.

Tess waits until she hears Lois' footsteps disappear, then picks up the phone and dials a number. "Mr. Kent? Be prepared to leave for London tomorrow at 6:00 P.M. from Metropolis Airport." She hangs up the phone and props her feet up on the desk. I can't wait to find out what happens next; a smirk on her face...

TO BE CONTINUED...