Lost and Found

By Anne Spear <raggedyanne7@yahoo.com>

Rated: G

Submitted: June 2002

Summary: There's nothing like almost losing a secretly-loved one to snap two very stubborn views into focus…

A 30 Minute Episode Extension Challenge Fic: Lucky Leon

Author's Notes: This was also in response to the 30-minute challenge and done within the time restraints. Enjoy!

***

Lois and Clark walked silently past apartment buildings and stores. They had been questioned at the site of the bombing by two detectives, but had not been able to supply much information. Clark stopped walking when they arrived at the steps to Lois' building. He just stood there on the sidewalk with his hands in his pants pockets as Lois started to go up the steps. When she realized he wasn't following her, she stopped and turned to face him.

"Why don't you come in for a minute?" she suggested.

Clark sighed deeply before he answered. "Nah, it's late and I'm beat…"

Lois descended to the bottom step and placed her hand on Clark's upper arm. "I don't think you should be alone right now," she persisted. "I know I don't want to be."

Clark looked up into Lois' searching eyes and succumbed. "Alright, just for a minute…" He followed her to her apartment and waited as she unlocked the door. Inside, he wandered over to the window while she placed her bag on the couch.

Lois wanted to help Clark deal with his grief, but felt helpless, unsure of what to do. As she walked up behind him, she realized he needed to talk about what happened and how he was feeling. What he really needed was someone to listen. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek on his shoulder blade.

"It's all my fault," he whispered.

"Why do you say that?" she asked, releasing her hold on him.

"I should have gotten there sooner. I should have been able to stop it from happening," he agonized, turning around.

Lois took both of Clark's hands in hers. "There is no way you could have stopped this," she insisted. "Whoever planted that bomb is to blame here, not you."

"At lunch today, she tried to tell me how she felt, but I wouldn't let her finish. This afternoon, I broke her heart and now she's gone."

"Clark…"

"No, wait. I realize now that I can't take anything for granted. When we were chained in that warehouse, you said you liked me, but I hope it's more than that." Clark paused to bring both of Lois' hands to his lips and placed a kiss on each palm. "Lois, I don't want to waste any more of the time we have. I can't hide it anymore and honestly, I don't want to. He released her hands and held her face, looked deep into her eyes and declared, "I love you. I think I've always loved you, even before we met, although I didn't know who I was searching for. But the first moment I saw you burst into Perry's office, I knew. Please tell me there's a chance you might someday feel the same way."

Lois placed her hands over his and a single tear slid down her cheek. "Oh, Clark, I do," she answered. "I do love you, too."

No more words were needed as their kiss spoke volumes and a shooting star lit the heavens.

THE END