By PurpleHayley (purplehayley@yahoo.com)
Rated: G
Submitted: 17th March 2004
Summary: In this short story set in season three, Lois makes a decision about her relationship with Clark.
Disclaimer: Not my characters, but my story!
Comments: My first Lois & Clark Fic, although I've been a fan since the Pilot. Feedback not only welcomed but encouraged.
***
Lois looked at Clark, staring directly into his deep brown eyes, and spoke softly, but firmly. "I've made my decision, Clark. This is what I want. You can't talk me out of it because you have your own insecurities. I'm scared too, but I know what is best for me. I can't go on like this any longer. It's not fair to me and it's certainly not fair to you." She finally broke from his gaze, knowing that the tears welling up in Clark's eyes would soon affect her own.
She paced around the room as Clark stood there frozen, a dumbstruck look on his face. This was certainly a bolt from the blue — he never expected this. His heart was beating so fast, he thought it would jump out of his chest. He suddenly exhaled, rather loudly, causing Lois to jump, not even realising he had been holding his breath.
A million thoughts were running through his head, all at the same time. His heart and his head conflicted, and he didn't know which one to listen to. His body filled with panic. He, too, started to pace the room, as if somehow not standing still would help to organise the jumble in his mind. He opened his mouth and it seemed that those million thoughts had finally found an outlet into the world — the words just tumbled out of him almost incoherently. "Lois, this is a huge thing. Why now? What has happened recently for you to make such an important decision without even talking to me first! How do you think that makes me feel? Don't I get a say at all? After all, it does involve me too!" he finished, breathing hard, and stared at her.
She sat down on the sofa slowly, her shoulders slumped, as if the burden of the decision had weighed heavily on her. She gestured for him to join her. He sat down and turned to face her. She lifted her head and their eyes locked, both brimming with tears. "To answer your questions in order," she began. He hung his head sheepishly. "You're right, this is a huge thing, but it is something that I've been thinking about for a long time. It wasn't an overnight decision. As for not talking it over with you first — this was something I needed to sort out on my own; I had to know that the decision that I would finally come to would be mine and mine alone, without any outside influences. As for you having a say — I respect your opinion and would, of course, listen to anything you have to say on the matter, but my mind is made up."
Clark couldn't believe what he was hearing, couldn't believe that this was really happening. His heart was still beating fast, his palms were sweating and he had a sick feeling in his stomach. He looked at Lois and was surprised to see that she was so calm.
Gently, she took his hands in her own, their fingers interlacing. "I love you, Clark, with all my heart and all my soul. I want to marry you and be with you always."
"Are you really sure, Lois? Are you really sure this is the right decision?" he questioned.
"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind," she said, grinning up at him.
In that instance, all of Clark's fears disappeared. Their eyes locked and he whispered the words he had been longing to say, "I want to marry you too, Lois. I love you. Together for always."
They leaned in, finding each other with equal passion, both secure in the knowledge that the right decision had been made.
THE END