Calling A Spade, A Spade...

By Glenda M. Hernandez

It was a beautiful Summer day in the city of Metropolis. The kind
of day that would make anyone think that nothing could ever go
wrong. A day where the sun shone bright, where birds flew
unencumbered and where lovers happily demonstrated their love to
the world. Lois Lane and Clark Kent, the Daily Planet's top
reporters, sat in an outside cafe enjoying lunch and making
beautiful plans for their future. They were completely oblivious
to the pair of green angry eyes that watched their every move.

"I feel so-so ..." Lois started with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Happy?" Clark inquired as he reached for her hand. Upon it, her
engagement ring reflected the sunlight.

"Yes, but it's more than that." She enclosed her hand on his. "I
feel like anything is possible now. I mean, we've been through so
much and we've managed to survive it all. And I kind of feel like
... Remember in college when you had THAT last final exam? Do you
remember the exhilaration you felt? Like after all the work, you
were glad to get a break. As if a big weight was lifted? That's
it! I feel that we're going to have our break, now."

"I know, me too. And I think we're due for a break." He moved his
chair closer to her. "Since, we have one now, don't you think we
should make use of it?"

She knew exactly where he was headed. Lois smiled shyly and
leaned toward him. "What do you think we should do?" She inquired
with a smile in her eyes.

Lois followed his gaze as Clark took a long look at her
engagement ring. "Well, I think it's time you got another ring to
go with the one you already have." He looked up with a longing
look in his eyes.

"Mr. Kent, you read my mind." They leaned toward each other and
kissed softly and deeply.

The eyes that silently watched their every movement darken with
fury and jealousy.

The couple continued to kiss, unaware of the world around them,
unaware of the danger that watched from a dark limousine.
Suddenly, Lois broke their kiss. "Tell me when? We could do it
now. We could elope? Does that sound desperate? Because I don't
want to sound desperate. I mean, if you're not ready yet, I could
..."

"Lois, hold on." He told her with an amused smile. "Believe me,
I'm more than ready. But, I want our wedding to be memorable. I
want to tell the world that you're * my* love. A quick trip to
city hall, will not be worthy of you."

Lois brought his hand to her lips and leaned her face against it.
"What did I ever do to deserve you? You're everything I've ever
wanted. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not
dreaming."

"You're not dreaming, Lois."

"I know it now." She traced his face with her finger. "But Clark,
we've waited so long to finally reach this point. I don't want to
wait anymore. I want us to be together as soon as possible." She
told him with a slight tremble in her voice.

"What's the matter, Lois?"

"I guess with everything that's happened over the past months, I
can't help being afraid that something could ruin it all. Afraid
that another big test will come and that this time we won't be
able to overcome it."

"Lois, don't you know by now that together we can survive
anything? Anyway, I don't think that there'll be any more tests.
It's over. We can take our time and plan our wedding, AGAIN, and
be happy." He told her in a reassuring tone.

"You're right." She shook her head as if to push her fears behind
her. " Still, we won't take too much time, right?" She asked him
with a smile that told him that her fears had been allayed.

"No, we won't. I promise." He leaned forward and kissed her
gently on the cheek. "We could talk to Perry and ask for a few
weeks. We can get things together quickly. I'm sure your mother
will be happy to help us ..."

"More than happy." She said sarcastically. Clark smiled.

"I could call my folks, tonight. They'll be glad to lend us a
hand. Who knows? With everybody working together, we could set it
up in about three weeks."

"Three weeks?" She asked with a disappointed look in her eyes.

"What? Too long?"

"At this point, even a day is too long." She paused for a second.
"Did that sound desperate again?"

Clark laughed out loud. "No. You're just as eager as I am."

"I guess I could wait three weeks." Lois rolled her eyes.

"Okay, let's make a deal. We talk to Perry today. By the end of
the week, we should be on vacation. Then we'll be able to
dedicate one whole week to the preparations which should cut it
down to two weeks. Is that better?"

"I guess so." She answered in a slightly disappointed tone.

"Don't worry, Lois. Before you know it, we'll be husband and
wife."

Lois reached into her briefcase and pulled out her daily planner.
Clark looked at her with a questioning look. "Lois, what are you
doing?"

She opened her planner and honed in on today's date. "I'm marking
the date," She circled the date on her planner while Clark tried
to repress his laughter. Suddenly, Lois' eyes opened wide. "Oh
no, I can't believe this!"

"What is it?"

"I had a meeting today with Dr. Klein and Professor Filakouris at
STAR Labs. I can't believe I forgot. Where's my mind?"

"What was the meeting about?"

"Oh, you know, the break-in at the lab," she paused momentarily
and gazed into his eyes, "and about Cassandra's ring ..."

"I thought we were done with that?"

"The story is unfinished, Clark. Besides, you know me, I need
resolutions in my life. I still have a couple of questions I need
answered before I can definitely let go of the issue."

"Lois ..."

"I know, I know, I'm a bit obsessive," she gave him a mischievous
smile, "but you love me anyway."

He shook his head and grinned. "Yes, I do. God help me, I do. At
what time was the meeting?"

"Five hours ago. I have to call them when we get back to the
office. I hope they aren't upset. I've already rescheduled two
times. Maybe I can convince them to do it tomorrow."

"Speaking of the office, we're late."

"Oh no ... How time flies."

"Among other things." Clark stated with a smile as he helped her
out of her chair. They smiled knowingly as they started to walk
down the street toward the offices of the Daily Planet.

The green eyes watched as they walked happily down the street
holding hands. The wrath that burned in them could've lit up the
city of Metropolis. "How dare they be happy?" A voice whispered
in a menacing tone. "How dare they?" It repeated, anger rising
with every word. "Soon." The voice whispered. A simple word but
one that carried the promise of revenge.

***

"I still can't believe she just left like that. Man, it's like
the earth swallowed her." Jimmy Olsen exclaimed as he sat in
Perry White's office discussing the sudden disappearance of
Cassandra Hathaway.

"She gave me the news over the phone." Perry explained in a
hushed tone.

"Did she tell you why she wanted to quit?"

"She told me something about wanting to start over somewhere
else. That was it. I could tell she was not telling me the whole
story. I even offered to send her a check for the days she worked
but she just refused it."

"Do you think she quit because of Lois?" Jimmy asked.

"Who knows, Jimmy? Truth is, Lois was not very happy with
Cassandra here."

"Can we blame her? Cassandra tried to hypnotize Clark and kidnap
her. I would've been upset also."

"Funny thing, when she was here, I forgot all about the horrible
things she did." Perry added in a reflective tone.

"Yeah, me too. How can we explain that?"

"I don't know but I feel bad. I think I turned my back on Lois.
Can't explain why."

"Yeah, I think I did too, Chief. It's strange, I mean, I thought
Cassandra was so cool and such a babe but now I can't even
remember what I saw in her."

"To tell you the truth, even though I was sad to see her go at
first, I have no feelings about it now, either. I don't know
Jimmy, between you and me, I think this was just a small
stop-over on the road to wherever. "

"Do you think Lois was right, Chief? Do you think Cassandra had
not changed?"

"I hope not, son. I really hope not. If Lois was right, perhaps
we haven't heard the last of her."

As the words left Perry's mouth, he spotted Lois and Clark
standing at his door. Lois' face reflected all the discomfort she
felt at even the mention of Cassandra's name. Perry registered
this and immediately felt sorry. Jimmy lowered his head in
embarrassment.

"What's going on?" She asked as she walked in the office and made
herself comfortable on Perry's couch. Clark walked in behind her
and leaned against the couch.

"Lois, honey, we were just discussing ..." Perry started in an
apologetic tone.

"Cassandra?" She asked interrupting Perry's thoughts.

"Why, yes."

"You're sorry she left?" She probed genuinely curious.

"No! Not at all. I mean, I have no feelings either way." Perry
told her in a slightly alarmed tone.

"Lois, we don't even miss her." Jimmy added picking up where
Perry left off.

Lois and Clark glanced at each other briefly, recognizing that
their friends felt bad about everything that happened with
Cassandra. "Guys, It's no secret that I didn't like her and that
I resented her presence here. I admit I was mad at all the
attention you gave her. I guess I can understand why. She's so
beautiful and all ..."

"Lois c'mon, don't ..." Perry interrupted suddenly.

"No, Perry, let me finish," she told him in an authoritative
tone. "I never believed that Cassandra changed, I still don't. It
hurt when none of you understood this or even wanted to hear it."
She looked at all the faces in the office. All of them appeared
embarrassed. "Maybe, you blame me for her sudden departure. We
all know I was not the most gracious. But, I know in my heart
that her leaving was for the best ..."

"Lois," Perry started once more, "I--we wanted to apologize. I
don't know what happened or where our minds were at. All I know
is that you are our friend and as such, you come first. No
question."

"Yeah, Lois, you're way cooler than she was." Jimmy added with a
smile.

"I feel like I'm competing with her for your affection." She
stated simply.

"No way. You gotta understand, honey, we are a team and nobody's
gonna come between us. Nobody can. Right people?" Perry asked in
a loud commanding tone.

"Right Chief." Jimmy and Clark answered in unison. Lois smiled
and shook her head.

Their simple gesture had been like a lifesaver. Even though she
knew that Cassandra's departure was necessary, she often wondered
if her friends begrudged her. She had seen how taken they had
been with Cassandra and in the three weeks since her departure,
she couldn't help but wonder if they resented her part in it.
Now, as they rallied behind her, apologizing and reasserting
their friendship, she had to smile in order to keep from crying
and running to each one of them with her arms open.

"I don't know what to say." She stated quietly.

"You don't have to say anything." Perry stood, walked to her and
sat beside her. "All you gotta do, is be happy," then he added
with a hint of laugher in his voice, "not to mention work your
tail off for me."

"I can do that, but ..." Lois glanced at Clark. He realized where
she was heading.

"... but we have to take a few weeks off." Clark concluded.

"Weeks off? What for?" Perry asked in a concerned tone.

"To plan our wedding." Clark answered as Lois smiled from Perry
to Jimmy.

"You guys are going to do it, finally?" Jimmy asked grasping the
meaning of Clark's words.

"Yeah, we are." Lois answered simply.

"Blessed blue suede shoes! About time, people!" Perry kissed
Lois' cheek and stood up and shook Clark's hand, all the while
laughing out loud. "Take all the time you need. You can go today,
if you want."

"Thank you, Perry. But, we still have some work to do." Lois
explained curtailing some of the excitement.

"Work will always be here, Lois. Your wedding, if you're lucky
and I think luck is turning your way, is a once in a lifetime
thing." Perry advised as Lois and Clark gazed into each other's
eyes.

"We know, Perry. Still, we have one outstanding *thing* to check
out and before we go, Lois and I would like to take a shot at
it." Clark reasoned and Lois nodded in agreement.

"Kids today, no romance. Fine. Do what you think is best. If you
need any help, don't hesitate to ask, now."

"We will." Clark answered with a grateful smile.

"What's this *thing* about?" Perry asked.

"The break-in at STAR Labs remains unsolved, so we figure, we
could ask around." Lois answered in a casual tone. Clark looked
at her with a questioning look, knowing that she had not told
Perry about the second aspect of the case. Knowing that she had
not told him about Cassandra's ring. She returned her gaze
communicating with her eyes that some things are better left
unsaid. He nodded.

"Okay, sure, that's one that should be looked into. When do you
want to start your vacation, though?"

"Friday will be our last day." Clark told him.

"Fine with me. I can't tell you how happy I am for you." Perry
turned around to where Jimmy was sitting listening attentively to
the conversation. "Olsen!"

"Yes, Chief." Startled, Jimmy quickly stood.

"Calm down, boy. I'm not going to eat ya. You were just sitting
so quietly there."

"Sorry." Jimmy shrugged his shoulders. "I was just thinking about
all the things you guys have been through ... And I'm very happy
that FINALLY you're going to get together."

Lois and Clark smiled at their young friend. They knew that his
words came from the heart and they appreciated them.

"Thanks, Jimmy." Lois told him in a sweet, tender tone. Jimmy
blushed.

"Oh, c'mon, you gonna make this old man cry." Perry stated
quietly but suddenly his tone changed to the all too familiar
commanding roar. "Get moving, people! Settle the STAR Labs deal.
The sooner, the better cause I'm starting to get a craving for
wedding cake."

They all laughed, enjoying the moment. Their eyes glared brightly
at the thought of the happy days to come.

***

Later that night at Lois' apartment, Lois and Clark sat on her
couch sipping Chianti and making plans for their impending
nuptials.

"I don't know, Clark. Using the same church where I was kidnapped
by Lex, doesn't bring about romantic feelings."

"I know what you mean." He sighed and winced as he remembered the
marriage to Lois' frog eating clone. "Remember, that was the site
of my biggest disappointment."

Lois gave him a sympathetic look. " Mine too. But, where then?
The choices are kind of limited."

"Have you considered a wedding in a small chapel, in a small
town?"

Lois smiled. "Mmm, let me think. Where could that be? I really
have no idea. Could it be in the state of Oklahoma?" Clark
smiled, enjoying the little game. "You have to give me another
hint."

"Okay, how about, a small town where some time ago a little
spaceship fell from the sky?"

"Oh, that's better. I know! Roswell, New Mexico!" She announced
with mischievous glee.

"You're being bad." He told her with laughter in his voice.

"Yes, I am," she said with a playful grin. "But, I would *love*
to marry you in Smallville."

"You would?"

"How could I not? That's your home and it is a magical place
because it gave me you," she told him simply.

He was touched by her comment but he knew in his heart where his
home really was, "Lois, home is wherever you are." He whispered.

She eased her way toward him and leaned her head against his
powerful chest, "We're quite a pair, you and I..."

"What do you mean?" He whispered as he kissed the top of her
head.

"We're hopeless romantics ..."

"Is that bad?"

"No, it only goes to show that we were meant for each other."

"I knew that the moment I saw you." He held her tight against
him.

"I wish I would've known sooner ..." She told him with a hint of
regret in her tone.

"You knew."

"Did I?" She looked up at him.

"Yeah, you just needed time to see it clearly." He smiled
tenderly at her.

"I guess, I needed a pair of eyeglasses ..." Lois joked as she
reached for Clark's eyeglasses.

"No, just time." They snuggled closer together. "Now look, we
have it all and it's the right time and the right place."

Lois suddenly moved away from him, his face reflected some
disappointment. ".. Talking about place and time, we should get
back to the wedding." She noticed the disappointed look on his
face, "Unless you want to do it later?"

"No, the sooner we get married, the better it'll be."

"How better?" She asked in a sensual tone.

"We best leave that answer for later, otherwise city hall will
start to sound pretty darn good." He warned her with a sweet
tender smile.

"Oh sure, just when we were getting to the good part." Lois
pretended to pout.

Clark chuckled and pulled away from her, "I better call my folks,
now. Have to tell them the good news." He stood and started to
walk toward her red phone.

"I know they'll be so happy."

"Then, you'll call your parents?"

"Must I?" She asked with a girlish pout.

"Lois ..."

"Just kidding. I'm sure my parents will be beside themselves."

Clark smiled, lifted the receiver and dialed the numbers. "Mom?
Yeah, hi. I hope I'm not calling too late? You're working on a
project?" Lois stood and walked toward him. "That sounds like
fun. Where's dad? Tell him not to move that, I'll do it. Yes,
Lois is doing great. Mom, we're finally getting married. In two
weeks. Yes, we're happy. We want to do it in Smallville." Clark
suddenly turned to Lois, "She's definitely happy." He turned his
attention back to his mother. "I'm here. I know it's soon but I
think we can put it together. Can you help us? Thanks, mom. We'll
drop by later this week, okay? Great. Tell dad I'll talk to him
later. Bye. Love you."

"I guess it’s my turn." Lois took the receiver from him and
dialed the numbers to her mother's house. "Dad? What are you
doing there? Dinner? Great. I'm fine, how are you? I'm glad.
Clark's fine also. Yeah, he's right here. Dad, I'm almost thirty
...Never mind. Can I talk to mom? No, I don't like her better
than you." Lois rolled her eyes. Clark stood close to her giving
her strength. "I love you both the same. Fine, okay, sure. Put
mom on, please. Yeah, talk to you later. Love you too." Lois
exhaled. "Mom? Yeah, he told me, dinner. It's fine. About time
you started to get along. No, I'm not criticizing, it's just that
too much anger is not good ...okay, mom, sure. Mom, I have news.
No, no Pulitzer yet. It's about Clark and ... no he didn't leave
me." Lois was starting to get exasperated but by a mere touch
Clark managed to calm her down. "Mom...We're getting married. Two
weeks. No, it's not too soon ... That's why I'm calling, we need
your help. No, it doesn't have to be a whole production, it's a
small wedding, in ... Smallville, yes. We like it there. Mom! Do
you want to help or not? All right. Okay, call me. Sure, mom.
Love you too. Goodbye." Lois exhaled as she hung up the phone.

"Is she happy?" Clark asked cautiously.

"Very. I think I made her evening."

Clark placed his arm on her waist as they walked back to her
couch and sat. "At least that's done." He told her.

"I'm glad." Lois glanced at her wristwatch. "Look at the time. We
have to be at STAR Labs early in the morning. Dr. Klein and
Professor Filakouris are expecting us and I can't miss this
meeting. I missed two already."

"Do you want me to pick you up?"

"I would love that."

Clark stood and looked down at Lois as she sat on the couch. "I
really hate having to leave."

"I hate that you have to leave."

"I keep telling myself that in just two weeks, we won't have to
go through this. It makes me feel a bit better."

"How better?" Lois asked in a seductive tone again.

Clark lowered his head and smiled. "I’ll see you in the morning,
Lois." He started to walk toward her door.

"Goodnight, Clark." She told him with a sensuous smile while she
stood to follow him. The two kissed at the door before Clark
walked away.

As she closed the door behind him, Lois couldn't help thinking
how happy she felt, how complete her life was, and that she owed
it all to Clark. She leaned back against the closed door.
"Finally, nothing will stand in our way, nothing is going to ruin
our happiness." She whispered as she closed her eyes and smiled.

***

"Ah, Ms. Lane! Finally see each other again." Professor
Filakouris exclaimed as Lois and Clark entered Dr. Klein's office
where the Professor had set up camp.

Professor Filakouris was an expert in ancient Greek civilizations
and for three weeks he had been studying articles that at one
time had been in the possession of Cassandra Hathaway--her ring
and her scroll. It was through Cassandra's ancient scroll as
deciphered by the Professor, that Lois got to know a bit more
about the unique civilization that Cassandra had referred to. A
civilization made up of powerful women, who worshipped all things
natural and who revered Greek goddesses as much as they revered
their chosen queen. Three weeks had been enough time to almost
complete the translation of the scroll and now as the Professor
welcomed Lois and her companion, he couldn't wait to share it all
with her, among other interesting things.

"Ms. Lane, I waited and waited for long time." The Professor told
her in a scowling tone.

"Sorry, Professor. I got kind of busy. I'm here now, though."

"Yes. At last." The Professor noticed Lois companion. "Who is
young man?"

"Yes, let me introduce you, this is Clark Kent, my partner and
fiance."

Clark stretched his hand toward the Professor in greeting. "Nice
to meet you, Professor. I heard a lot about your work."

He stared at Clark intensely. "You the one who got hypnotized,
yes?"

"I guess you could say that."

"Dr. Klein told you?" Lois asked.

"Yes, we looked at ring and the Dr. Klein explained what it did.
He told me Mr. Kent experienced ring's power."

"Actually," Clark started, "I'm not really sure about what
happened."

"I remember some things." Lois added.

"What you remember?" The Professor asked while prompting them to
sit.

Lois took a deep breath. "When Cassandra tried to hypnotize me, I
noticed that her ring was glowing. Somehow I knew that staring at
it would be dangerous. I closed my eyes but it was obvious that
she wanted me to look at it. When Clark told me about what he
remembered, I put it together. I knew that's how she managed to
control people. Still, I don't understand specifically how she
did it. That's why I asked the Dr. Klein to let you look at it."

"I see. Well, I looked at ring. Something confusing."

"What's confusing, Professor?" Lois asked with a slight tremble
in her voice. Clark stared at her with a concern look.

"Ms. Lane, Mr. Kent," the Professor shifted position in his chair
and leaned forward so as to get closer to them. "The scroll
indicates that ring queen was unique. The band was 24 karat gold
and inside band signs for the first letter and last letter of
Greek alphabet were carved. Most importantly, between letters,
two symbols were also carved. They were a heart and eye. Heart
meant passion from alpha to omega and eye meant knowledge, also
from alpha to omega." He paused and studied the faces before him.
"This according to scroll, see?"

"Okay, so it is a unique ring, full of symbolism," Lois recapped.
"But, what are you trying to say?"

"Ms. Lane, ring very old and some things wear off but something
not quite right..."

"Is it the same ring?" She asked her face tensing with every
word.

The Professor shifted uncomfortably in his chair sensing the
importance of the information Lois was requesting. "Ms. Lane,
this very confusing, but I do not believe it's the same ring."

"She did it! She switched the ring!" Lois said, her voice full of
anger.

"Lois, maybe it's a mistake ..." Clark said attempting to be
rational.

"Clark, don't you see? Everything fits. The break-in at the lab,
Cassandra's return, how everybody acted toward her, and now her
apparent disappearance. She had the ring all along. I knew she
couldn't be trusted!" She suddenly stood up and started to pace
around the cramped office.

"Professor, can you be absolutely certain?" Clark asked with
urgency in his tone.

"Mr. Kent, the scroll said so. I looked at ring, is not the
same."

"I told you, Clark. She played with us all along. Arrg, I could
wring her neck!"

"Calm down, Lois, we don't know ..." Clark started seeking to
calm an intensely irate Lois.

"We do know, Clark. We know what she's capable of." Lois thought
for a minute. "Maybe in this instant she's planning her attack!
And we don't even know where she is! "

"Lois, we have to be rational. If in fact she has the ring, we
have to find out everything we can about it."

"If in fact she has the ring? How could you have any doubt?"

"Lois, I'm not going to get into a whole argument with you. All
I'm saying is that we have to prepare ourselves, in case our
suspicions are true."

"You always have to be practical. Can't you get mad? Don't you
feel betrayed?"

"Lois, I ..."

Clark's thoughts were interrupted by Professor Filakouris, who
had been sitting listening to the squabbling couple. "Mr. Kent,
Ms. Lane, this you do is not good. I know you're mad but anger
not going to help now. This woman, maybe she has ring, yes?"

"I'm sure of it." Lois answered without glancing at Clark.

"Okay, if this woman has ring, then we must know how or why she
uses it. Mr. Kent, since you were, how you say, victim? You must
remember all you can, yes?"

"I don't know. Everything is foggy." Clark said.

"Try to remember, very important, okay?"

"I'll try." Clark thought for a moment while Lois and the
Professor stared at him intently, as if their stares could make
him remember. "We had just finished dinner ..." Clark started in
a soft murmur which grew louder as he recounted his experience. "
... And we were sitting on the sofa, ready to start the
interview. I remember she was wearing a gown made of gold and she
was very attentive."

"I bet she was." Lois commented in a sarcastic tone.

"Ms. Lane, please let him tell." The Professor scowled. Lois
shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes.

"She was attentive," Clark continued. "We were going to start the
interview when Pathos, her servant I guess, went into her
bedroom. When he came out, six women were behind him. They were
all dressed in ancient Greek-like gowns. She told me that they
were her employees, then told me their names. One was called
Penelope, another Eleni, Thera, one Diana and Athena. I can't
remember the last one. She introduced them to me and then she sat
beside me. Then I heard it. I heard the music, like a million
voices humming. Cassandra sat by me and she was talking, then I
saw the yellow light ..." Clark shook his head at the memory of
that event. "Then everything went black that is until, I heard
Cassandra's screams and found her and Lois in the balcony."

Lois listened to his every word carefully. She fought back tears
as the memory of that evening replayed in her mind. Specifically,
how Clark had behaved under Cassandra's influence. She knew that
Clark had not been responsible for his actions, however, the
memory of his cold vacant eyes and his forceful hands upon her
arms remained and Lois knew that it would not be easily
forgotten. The Professor's voice, brought her back from that
horrible memory.

"Ms. Lane, what happened? Why were you in balcony?"

Lois cleared her throat. "We fought and she fell over the
railing. Before that, I tried to get her ring, like I told you, I
knew that it was dangerous. She fought me but when she fell, I
could only hold on to her ring. I managed to grab hold of her
other hand just before the ring slipped off her finger. Next
thing I knew, Clark, the * real* Clark, was standing beside me."
She glanced at Clark, who smiled tenderly at her. Lois' heart
melted.

"I understand." The Professor started. "Obvious ring very
powerful. It gives queen power to control. Maybe enhances power
given by goddesses. When ring is taken off without the required
permission, queen loses all power over victim as well as all
knowledge and passion. Mr. Kent, how you feel when you woke up?"

"I felt disoriented and tired for a second but Cassandra's
screams put things in focus for me." Clark explained.

"How about the six women, how they feel?"

"Like Clark, they were disoriented but it took them a few hours
to wake up and when they did, they didn't remember anything.
Other than that, they were fine." Lois answered.

"It's very interesting thing about six women." The Professor
stated as a matter-of -fact.

"Why is that, Professor?" Clark inquired, obviously getting
involved with the Professor's opinions.

"In scroll, it is stated that queen must have all of worshipped
attributes. Ms. Lane knows, but I tell you again. These women
worshipped; beauty, nature, birth and death, power, strength,
independence, perseverance and courage. All women with queen had
to have these qualities. All must be beautiful. Kind of natural
beauty-no enhancement. And all must represent some or all of
qualities. When queen got group together, she became stronger,
more powerful." The Professor thought for a moment then announced
loudly, "That's it! Ring is very powerful, can be use to control
but queen needs followers, she needs these women to help her.
It's like her family. Mr. Kent, you mentioned music, you know
where music came from?"

"No. I wanted to see where it came from but somehow I couldn't
move."

"No matter. I have idea of where it came from. This very
interesting. To control, queen had to have loyal followers." Lois
and Clark listened closely, in their faces splashes of
recognition and understanding appeared.

"Lois told me that Cassandra wanted her to join her family."
Clark said.

"She told me she admired my Perseverance and Independence. What a
joke!"

"If I understand this woman, she felt crazy passion for Mr. Kent
and she wanted Ms. Lane to complete her family circle." The
Professor paused momentarily and collected his thoughts. "I don't
doubt this woman can be dangerous."

"Especially now that she has the ring." Lois concluded.

"I have to admit ..." Clark whispered. "... I'm having a hard
time with this. The last time we saw her, she looked normal. She
didn't act like the person you're describing."

"Clark ..." Lois started only to be interrupted by the
Professor.

"Mr. Kent, maybe woman changed, maybe she's normal. However, if
she has ring, anything is possible. You have to beware. She may
be very powerful. Remember, she may have goddesses' blessing if
she's wearing ring. And perhaps, she has started a new family.
That's very, very powerful. Be careful. If she wants you, she
would do anything to get you. Remember, she's very passionate."

Clark and Lois stared at each other. Worry and fear were
displayed in their eyes.

Lois and Clark left the Professor shortly thereafter. They had
agreed, that he would continue his examination of Cassandra's
scroll, so as to get a complete picture of her. On the way to the
Daily Planet, no words were exchanged. In their minds, they tried
to assimilate all the information gathered and tried to come to
grip with the possibility that Cassandra may not be totally out
of their lives. For Clark, their meeting with Professor
Filakouris was like an awakening. For the first time, he
understood the threat that Cassandra presented but most
importantly, he understood the danger that Lois had placed
herself in to save him. For the first time, he doubted Cassandra
and her motives and the images of his amiable college friend
which he held on to so fiercely, were beginning to fade from his
mind. Lois, on the other hand, felt like she had been tricked all
over again. Even though she suspected Cassandra immediately upon
her return, she still felt like she'd been duped. She thought
that if only she could've investigated deeper, if only she
would've known about the missing ring earlier, then they wouldn't
have this dark cloud looming over their heads.

They entered the offices of the Planet in relative silence and
yet they walked briskly, determined to get to the bottom of the
Cassandra mystery. Lois walked to Jimmy who was standing by the
copy machine.

"Hi, Lois, what's up?" He inquired as he fed the machine papers
to be copied.

"I need you to do something for me. It's critical and I need it
pronto."

"What do you need?"

"Get me a list of any jewelers within Metropolis or adjacent
towns that carry 20 plus karat Canary diamonds."

"Gee, Lois, do you think Clark could afford that kind of wedding
ring?" Jimmy joked. Lois gave him an annoyed look. "Sorry. That's
all?"

"No, also get a listing of any recent sales of that type of ring,
try to get buyer information."

"I'm on it." With this Jimmy walked away quickly on his way to
the research room. Before entering, his path was blocked by
Clark.

"Jimmy, I need you to do something for me. It's very important."

"What's going on?"

"I want you to get me list of any prior convicts, in jail or on
parole, who have been involved in highly stylized break- ins."

"You mean like at STAR Labs?"

"Yes."

"You mean, you got a lead on the STAR Labs break- in?"

"Maybe. Let's see what you come up with."

"C.K., Both you and Lois seem very anxious. What's happening?"

"Something came up. I can't tell you now but I need that
information as soon as possible."

"No problem, C.K., I'm on it."

***

Later that night at Lois' apartment, Clark and Lois sat examining
countless files and articles. The day had been a very busy one
and at the moment the night looked equally busy. Jimmy had
gathered all the information they individually requested and he
had done it in record time, sensing the urgency of the situation.
For Lois, the information gathered was the first step to
discovering who switched the rings. During the day, she had
visited countless jewelry stores around Metropolis seeking a
definite answer to her questions but she had come up empty. In a
way she was not surprised, she knew that whoever did it, and she
had a pretty good idea of who it may have been, had thought of
everything. Still, she searched for the particular definite clue
that would lead her directly to her suspect. Clark, was equally
unlucky, his search for the individuals responsible for the
break-in at STAR Labs had created more questions than answers.
Although he narrowed his search to a handful of individuals
capable of such a break- in, he soon found out that his suspects
had disappeared into thin air. They knew that the answers they
sought would not come easily, yet, still they hoped, though
frustration was beginning to set in.

"I can't stand this!" Lois yelled, throwing her notepad on the
floor.

"Come on, Lois, don't give up."

"I don't even know what we are looking for anymore. It's funny, I
know who did it, I know why they did it, when, where and so on
but I can't prove it."

"I know what you mean. At least you have the 'who,' I can't even
find who did it. All I know for sure is that Cassandra had
something to do with it." Clark concluded.

"You believe me, now?" Lois asked

"As hard as it is to admit it, I think you may have been right.
When I think of Cassandra and ... It's hard."

"I know, Clark. When she came back three weeks ago, she appeared
to have changed. But, we were fooled once again."

"I could've never imagined this. It's too fantastical."

"Clark, you're a guy who flies, that's fantastical in itself,
isn't it?"

Clark smiled. "You got me."

"I'll get you anywhere, any time." They both smiled, momentarily
forgetting the task before them. "Want to take a break?" Lois
asked brightly.

"Actually," Clark glanced at his watch, "I really should be
going, it's past midnight."

"Last time I heard, I didn't have a curfew, Clark."

"No. It's not that. I have to fly around a bit. You know, have a
job to do."

"I understand. I should really get to bed myself, tomorrow is
going to be a long day. I have a couple more places to visit."
She paused and stared into his eyes. "Wouldn't it be nice, if we
could wrap this up tomorrow?"

"Why?"

"More time to prepare our wedding. Don't tell me you forgot?"

"No, of course not, Lois. It would be nice, if we could find our
answers."

"It's not going to be easy. She thought of everything."

"We'll solve this. I know we will." He leaned forward and kissed
her gently on the lips. "But, now ..." Clark swiftly changed into
his Superman outfit, walked to her window and smiled at Lois.
"Want me to pick you up, in the morning?"

"It's okay. I'll meet you at the Planet. I have a couple of
things to do before I go to the office."

"Okay." He walked back to her, leaned and kissed her deeply. "I
love you." With this, he flew out her window into the dark
Metropolis night.

"I love you too." Lois told him simply as a soft wind caressed
her face.

After Clark left, Lois sat looking at the papers before her. She
was angry and this anger made her more determined to find the all
the answers about Cassandra. She sat there for almost an hour,
rummaging through papers and wondering how they could've been
such fools. Lois stood suddenly and walked to her kitchen to
prepare a cup of tea, she knew that she would be unable to sleep
tonight, unable to get Cassandra Hathaway out of her mind.
Suddenly a thought occurred to her, she thought of Professor
Filakouris and all that he had related, specifically about
Cassandra's need to have followers. In that instant, she realized
what Cassandra's first steps would've been; to gather her
'family.' "Kidnap victims! Of course," as the words crossed her
lips, she heard a knock at the door. Lois glanced at her watch
quickly, it was 15 minutes past 1 in the morning. "Who could it
be?" She whispered as she walked to the door and stared out
through the peephole. She was able to distinguish the familiar
red cape and golden "S' stitched on it. Without thinking, she
quickly opened her door.

"Clark? Why didn't you use the wind ..."

In an instant, all that Lois could see turned to black.

***

The next morning, Lois stepped out of the elevator at the Daily
Planet. She walked stiffly, hardly noticing the people who
greeted her. She walked straight to her desk and sat without a
single word to anyone. When Clark walked in, Lois still sat at
her desk without uttering a single word but staring constantly at
her empty computer screen. He walked straight to her, all the
while displaying a bright grin.

"Hi, sweetheart. I hope you didn't stay up too late, last night
..." Clark told her as he sat at the edge of her desk. For the
first time, Lois looked up. She stared at him, as if seeing him
for the first time.

"Oh, hi, Clark. How are you?" She asked without a drop of
emotion.

"I'm fine." Clark immediately noticed that something was not
right. "Lois, are you okay?"

She continued to stare at him as if he were a stranger. "I'm
fine. Couldn't be better, Clark. Today's a good day."

Clark was not convinced. "Lois, did you get any sleep last
night?"

"Slept like a babe. Today, I feel reborn. I see things clearly,
now."

"Lois, you're not making sense ..." Clark stated in a concerned
tone.

"I'm not making sense? Are you saying I'm stupid, Clark? Are you
saying I'm crazy?!" Lois asked her voice rising with every word.
Clark was taken aback by this display.

"No, Lois, c'mon. I was just ..."

"You were just belittling me again! Like you did with Cassandra!
You didn't pay attention to me, you doubted me, all of you
doubted me!!" She yelled and turned to stare angrily at everyone
in the office while frightened eyes avoided her gaze.

"Lois, calm down. Everyone's watching." Clark reached out for her
but she avoided his touch.

"Don't touch me!" She told him, her eyes full of fury. Clark's
eyes displayed surprise and confusion.

"Lois, I don't know what's going on ... But let's talk about
this. You're upset and I ..."

"I am upset! For the first time, I see clearly what's before me!
I know who you truly are! You don't love me! You never loved me!
You just used me, like a toy, like you use everyone! Tell me
Clark, how long did you expect to continue to play your little
sick game? Tell me, how long did you expect ME to play it?!" She
told him as she stared harshly into his eyes.

"Lois, I don't know what you're talking about." Clark told her in
a tone full of confusion.

"Play the innocent, Clark. You're good at it. Too good. Nobody
knows you like I do, do they? I'm the only one who knows the true
monster behind that casual, goody two shoes facade. You can't
fool me anymore! I did away with the rose-colored glasses."

"Lois, please, let’s go somewhere and talk about this."

"I'm not going anywhere with you! It's over! I don't want you in
my life! I don't love you! I never did and that was my salvation.
Don't you dare come near me ever again! It's over!" With this she
walked out of the Daily Planet, without a backward glance. If she
would've glanced behind her, she would've seen a whole office
full of shocked faces but most of all she would've seen the image
of a heart breaking as displayed in Clark's eyes.

Clark felt like running after Lois and he would've done it except
for the hand that held him back.

"Give her some time, Clark." Perry told him as he directed Clark
to his office.

"Perry, I don't know where that came from. Just last night
everything was ..."

"Clark, son, maybe she's scared. You know, cold feet, you guys
are getting married soon and all."

"I don't know, Perry. This was more that 'cold feet.' You heard
her. In her mind I was like this monster!"

"All I can tell you is to give her time. Don't rush after her,
just yet. Let her calm down."

"This isn't right, Perry. Something is wrong. No, I have to talk
to her."

"Yes. But not today. Clark, go home, calm down and tomorrow, call
her up and sit and talk. Give her tonight. Trust me, if I
would've done the same with Alice, we would still be married."

"I don't know, Perry, all the things that she said ..."

"Give her tonight. You gotta calm down also."

"Fine," Clark conceded reluctantly. "If she calls though, let me
know. I want to make sure she's okay."

"I will, son."

"Thanks, Perry" With that Clark walked out of the office hardly
noticing the concerned looks and whispers that followed him.

***

Later that night, Clark sat slumped on his sofa without moving,
it was everything he could do to keep on breathing. All day he
had been fighting a strong desire to run to Lois and demand
answers, to force her to tell him what had gone wrong but Perry's
words rang in his head- "Give her time," he had said. "Maybe
Perry is right," he thought, "maybe I should give her time. But
how? How can I go on without knowing what's happening?" He
managed to get off his sofa and walk to his window. Every
movement he made, appeared unreal to him as though he was
watching it on television. Out of the corner of his eye, he could
see a framed picture of him and Lois in happier times, he focused
on her, on her smile, on how happy she was.

"Just yesterday, everything was fine. Just yesterday, she told me
she loved me." He whispered as he continued to stare at the
picture. "No! I can't stay away!" He quickly turned resolute to
go to her and demand his answers. Just as he was ready to leave,
his phone rang, he almost didn't answer it but the thought that
Lois could be the one calling stopped him.

"Lois?!" Clark asked in an urgent tone.

"No, Mr. Kent. It's Professor Filakouris."

"Professor. I really can't talk ..."

"Please, Mr. Kent. I need to ask question."

"Can't this wait?"

"No. I've been trying to contact Ms. Lane but I can't find her so
I call you, okay?"

"Really, Professor, if we could do this later ..."

"Please, Mr Kent! Very important. Need to know, right before
everything went black, what else you remember?"

"I thought I told you everything."

"Tell me about *her*."

"Fine. I remember that she was very seductive. I mean, her voice
was very soothing. I felt attached to it somehow... Then the
humming started and the rest you know."

"Do you know if you did anything after she captured you?"

"I don't remember but Lois," He paused suddenly remembering the
pain he carried inside, "Lois... told me that I did everything
Cassandra told me to do. Apparently I had no will of my own, like
my thoughts were her thoughts ..." Clark stopped abruptly as an
idea began to take shape in his mind.

"Go on, Mr. Kent."

"My thoughts were her thoughts. That's all."

"I see."

"What, Professor?"

"Listen carefully. I figured this. If she was wearing ring, she
was chosen queen of Amazons. In order to create new tribe, she
needed followers, ring afforded power to get followers. Upon
gathering new tribe with required worshipped characteristics, she
become stronger, more powerful. This power made easy to capture
anybody's mind. I know she followed a simple formula."

"What formula? A recipe from the scroll?"

"No. Is like this; first, she needed target victim; second, she
had to have followers who supplied the humming you referred to;
third, she used goddess given power like soothing voice to force
victim to surrender all defenses which she used in conjunction
with humming; and fourth, the ring put it all together in a form
of blinding light that reached into victim’s mind making them
helpless, erasing their memories and feelings. Like a blank
canvas to be filled in by queen. Victim’s feelings were
supplanted by an undying love and devotion to the queen, in this
case Ms. Hathaway."

"Once all these were in place, queen had power to control every
aspect of victim's life, like their choices, likes and dislikes,
their fears, own wishes and their loves. Is like victim became a
puppet who lived to serve the queen."

Clark listened attentively to the Professor's lecture and every
bit of information provided, shone a light on his own hidden
memories. As the professor spoke, all that happened between him
and Cassandra as she took over him, began to materialize in his
mind. In that instant, all the doubts, all the guilt he had felt
at one time, disappeared. For the first time, he finally saw what
Cassandra had been all about because at last the fog had been
lifted. Still, he couldn't dwell on his own anger and confusion,
he needed to be prepare in case Cassandra came back into his
life.

"Professor, I can't thank you enough for what you've done."

"Heh, it's my job, Mr Kent." The Professor exclaimed as he
graciously dismissed Clark's compliment.

"I need to know, though, is there a way to stop her?"

"This hard. I guess, best way would be to eliminate one of the
components she uses."

"Like what?"

"Easier would be not to get near her, yes?" The Professor waited
for a response that didn't come, he cleared his throat. "More
difficult to get ring or once get near her not fall prey to her
voice and followers' humming."

"For argument's sake, how can one prevent falling prey to her
voice and the humming?"

"I'm not a scientist, just an ancient civilizations Professor,
but I guess best way be *not* to listen."

Clark reflected for a moment on what the Professor had said.
"Thank you, Professor."

"Okay. You tell Ms. Lane, yes?" Clark didn't answer. "Mr. Kent,
you okay, yes?"

"I will be, Professor, I will be. Bye."

As soon as Clark ended his conversation with Professor
Filakouris, he started to pace around his apartment. His head was
full of questions and images. All that had happened since
Cassandra came to Metropolis began to flash through his mind. He
remembered the first time he had seen her at the Metropolis
airport, he remembered how all the male reporters present had
gone wild over her, how they had become violent and aggressive at
the prospect of laying eyes on her. He also reflected on how
Jimmy and Perry had behaved toward her, how willing they had been
to please her and how smitten they had been. It was as though she
exuded an energy that made every man around her, fall in love.
All except him. In that instant, he understood Cassandra's power,
understood how that power led her to act as she did. He realized
that he had been the only one who never fell for her, either when
she didn't have any powers in college or later when she had all
the power in the world. He understood then, that she would never
stop seeking him.

He wondered how he could've been such a fool. How at one time he
had refused to believe that she had any designs on him. He
remembered how she had manipulated him for it now was clear to
him that she knew how guilty he had felt. He saw the whole
picture; how he had been her puppet even when he had ceased to be
under her direct control. She had used him nonetheless,
manipulated him, played with him and for what?! To satisfy some
deeply ingrained obsession; to get what she thought had been
denied to her; to get him. "I *never* led her on," he whispered,
"I never lied to her. Never Lied. It wasn't my fault." As he
uttered those words, an image of Lois came to his mind because
she had told him repeatedly that it wasn't his fault. "Lois ..."
He said quietly and suddenly remembered his intended destination.
Without thinking, he quickly changed into his Superman outfit and
flew out his window.

***

Clark flew as fast as he could to Lois' apartment, he was carried
through by a strong desire to see her and to find out what
could've happened between them that would justify her breaking up
with him. He knew that something was not right, what it was,
eluded him but the possibilities terrified him. As Clark reached
Lois' apartment building, he noticed a black limousine with
tinted windows parked in front of it, he didn't think much of it,
that is until out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Lois as
she walked out her building toward the limousine. Before he had a
chance to go to her, she was already inside and the limo had
taken off. "Where is she going?" He wondered out loud. In his
mind Lois' behavior was too strange, first the fight at the
Planet and now this, a late night trip to "somewhere" in a
strange limousine, thoughts of Lex Luthor crossed his mind. He
felt like stopping the car because this image was too familiar,
once he had seen the woman he loved ride in a car away from him
and he hadn't done anything to stop her. For that mistake, he had
paid dearly and this time he didn't care to repeat it, yet,
instead of stopping the limo, he opted to follow it to its
intended destination.

Clark followed the limousine closely, occasionally using his
x-ray vision to spy inside and check on Lois. She seemed fine
except for the fact that she didn't move a muscle, it was as
though she was frozen in place. The limo rode several miles
outside Metropolis to a solitary road, it was a dark road and
from Clark's point of view, it was almost hidden by countless
trees. Finally, after almost two hours of driving, the car made a
turn into a secluded driveway en route to what at first appeared
to be an abandoned mansion. He noticed as the limo made a sudden
stop just before the main door. Lois quickly got out and walked
stiffly toward the door and inside the house. "What's going on
here?" Clark wondered. He descended slowly and walked toward the
door. He opened it and looked inside. Clark walked in and found
himself in the middle of a large foyer, there were no signs of
people or furniture for that matter, it was just an empty, dark
space. He looked to his left and there he saw a large wooden
door, he tried to look inside using his x-ray vision but he was
unable to because the door was lead lined. "Strange..." He
thought. Clark then decided to use his super hearing in order to
determine where Lois was and from behind that large wooden door
he heard it. A song was playing and a person was laughing. He
recognized the song, it was some old Cole Porter tune but the
laughter was a strange one, an almost maniacal one, not one
belonging to Lois. He walked toward that door and opened it. In
that instant, the music assaulted him full force:

"...In Love With My Joy Delirious

With The Thought That You Might Care.

So Taunt Me And Hurt Me.

Deceive me, Desert Me.

I'm Yours 'til I Die,

So In Love

So In Love

So In Love With You, My Love, Am I..."

As the music played out, Clark continued to hear the laughter, he
had to find out who it was, something about its tone did not sit
very well with him. Without hesitating, he crossed the doorway
into the biggest, brightest and most luxurious living room he had
ever seen. It was a room fit for a castle, fit for a QUEEN. Clark
immediately searched the large room with his eyes, looking for
the source of that maniacal laughter. He found it soon enough
sitting in a tall leather made chair. Cassandra Hathaway sat
there, staring at him with an amused look on her face.

He couldn't believe, didn't want to believe it. They stared at
one another as two fighters would the morning of their fateful
fight and neither said a word. Cassandra continued to stared at
him, examining his face, his body and measuring his disposition.
This was the moment she has been waiting for, she slowly stood
and walked toward her stereo. Clark followed her every move,
anticipating danger. As she turned off the stereo, she looked
back at him and once again smiled.

"How are you, Clarkie? " She asked as she walked back to her
chair and sat. "I've been expecting you."

"Cassandra ..." Clark whispered, still unable to grasp the
reality of the situation and yet the thought of Lois being at her
hands made him react. "Where's Lois?!" He asked in a demanding
tone.

"Why Clarkie, aren't you going to ask how am *I* doing?" She
asked in girlish tone.

"What games are you playing, Cassandra?! What have you done with
Lois?!" He insisted as he walked toward her with forceful steps.

"Clarkie. What kind of person do you think I am? I don't like
playing games ...That is unless I can win them. And, I don't like
hurting people...Unless they get in my way." Clark continued to
move toward her until he towered over her. "My, you're tall."

"Tell me where Lois is or I swear ..." He reached out for her
arms and brought her to him.

Cassandra was totally unafraid. "What are you going to do? Kill
me?" She looked down at his hands as they gripped her arms. Clark
let go of her recognizing that he had let his anger take over
him. "I didn't think so. Superman would never kill anyone. By the
way, love the outfit."

"What have you done?" He repeated, backing away from her.

"I've only done what you and Lois forced me to do. You know,
Clarkie, everything would have been much simpler if Lois had not
gotten in the way when I finally had you all to myself. There I
was , I had my ultimate desire in my hands, plus something
extra," Cassandra surveyed his Superman outfit, "and then Lois
showed up. You can't imagine the disappointment."

"I could *never* be yours and I could *never* love you." He
retorted, once again moving toward her.

"Isn't that funny," she smiled, never moving an inch. "As I
recall, you *were* mine and you *did* love me. You were ready to
do anything I asked, you were even ready to hurt the woman you
supposedly loved." Clark looked down as he remembered the pain he
had caused Lois. "Clarkie, haven't you learned by now that I
could make anybody love and worship me? I could show you, do you
want me to?"

As soon as she asked that frightening question, they heard a
knock at the door. "Enter." Cassandra ordered and in walked a
statuesque blond woman, wearing a dark designer dress and
blinding diamond necklace. "Mother!" Cassandra announced with
obvious glee in her voice. Clark stared at her, hardly believing
that this was the same woman he had met weeks ago, a woman who at
the time appeared frail and elderly. Hardly believing that this
was Francesca Hathaway.

"Mother, have you met Mr. K... I mean, Superman?"

Francesca Hathaway stared at the Man of Steel, obviously admiring
his figure. "No, darling, I have not. Believe me, I would have
remembered." Francesca walked to Clark, her hand stretched in
greeting but he refused it. She smiled and turned to her
daughter. "Okay, I guess he's a bit temperamental. Darling, you
never told me you had friends in such *high* places."

"We've only just met, mother dear." Clark looked at Cassandra
with a surprised look on his face. He could've never imagined
that she would keep his real identity a secret.

"I *really* hope he becomes a regular." Francesca stared at Clark
once again with a lascivious look in her eyes. "Mmm, well, I just
came to tell you that I'm leaving now for the airport. And that
there's still no sign of Mr. Kent."

"Don't worry mother, he'll come sooner or later." Cassandra
stared at Clark out of the corner of her eye. "Anyway, have a
good trip and I'll see you in Monte Carlo shortly."

Francesca stared at her daughter with a confused look, she
couldn't believe that she would disclose their destination in
front of a stranger, even if that stranger was a handsome
superhero. "Cissy, dear, do you think it was a good idea to ..."

"Don't worry, mother, Superman is a friend of the family."
Cassandra told her with a smile. "Now, be on your way. Kiss,
kiss?" Francesca leaned forward to receive her daughter's kiss
before exciting en route to the airport.

As soon as Francesca left, Clark approached Cassandra. "Why
didn't you tell her who I was?"

"Clarkie dear, your secret is the only thing I have of you and I
want to keep it all to myself. Call me selfish, if you must, but
I think it's delicious."

"You said you didn't remember."

"I didn't lie, when I came to you after I was let out of that
dreadful hospital, I didn't remember but later after I had gotten
my "medicine," everything became clearer."

"Your medicine? You mean your ring."

"Well, yes, what else? I assume you know everything about it. Was
it Professor...What's his name? Filakouris? Mother warned me
about him but I never figured he would know that much. Oh well,
why cry over spilt milk. I still got my wish nonetheless, you are
here. But, where were we? Oh yes! Do you want me to show you how
anybody can love and worship me?"

"I want to see Lois, now, Cassandra!"

"Oh Clarkie, we're having such a good time. Why can't we spend
some time together?"

"I'm not here to play house with you, all I want is Lois, where
is she?"

Cassandra walked back to her chair and sat, she looked up at
Clark with a mischievous grin. "I see you don't want to play. You
want your reward before winning the game ..."

"What are you talking about?" He walked to her and stood above
her.

"Clarkie, I knew you would come, I know you that well. That
reminds me, sorry about your break-up. It must have hurt a lot."
She told him in a mocking tone.

He knew in that instant that she had orchestrated everything,
that somehow she had gotten to Lois and made a slave out of her
and this fact filled him with fear. In that moment, all he
wanted, all he cared about was Lois. "Where is Lois?!" He
insisted, trying hard to contain his increasing anger.

"All good things come to those who wait." She told him simply.

Clark made a move toward the door, he knew that she would never
tell him and that it a was up to him to find her even if he had
to tear down every inch of this house. Cassandra noticed his
intentions.

"Clarkie, do you know that there are over fifty rooms in this
house and that each room is lead lined?" Clark stopped at the
door and turned toward her, with a questioning look. "Yes, that's
a fact. Apparently the previous owner had a thing about
radioactivity or as I hear it, he had a Superman phobia. I think
his name was Luthor or something. He sounded like a marvelous
person. I think he's dead. Pity." Clark walked back into the
room. "As you have already figured out, it would take you a long
time to find her and who knows what could happen to her while you
searched. Have you seen the roof? Gosh, anybody can fall from
there and where would you be? Tearing down the house, room by
room. I wonder if you would have enough time to save that
somebody, I mean, who knows what could happen, right? Are you
going to take that chance?" She inquired as she smiled her
cat-like smile, her green eyes shining with obvious
satisfaction.

Clark walked back to her and stood above her. "What do you want?"
He asked, his face red with fury.

"Right now, I want you to sit and play nice."

Clark did as requested and sat on a chair across from her. "Now
what?"

"Now, smile." Clark countenance did not change. Cassandra sighed.
"One out of two isn't bad. Now that we are comfortable and
seemingly relaxed, let me share something with you."

"What can you tell me? That you love me, that you've always loved
me ..."

"Good guess! But it's not the whole story. Tell me Clarkie, when
you were young did you ever want something really bad but you
couldn't get it either because you didn't have enough money or
because it didn't want you. Have you ever wanted something that
didn't want *you*?" Clark did not answer. "I did. I wanted you,
always wanted you. But guess what? You refused me! For four years
when we were in college, I dreamt of you loving me. I dreamt that
one day you would turn to me and say, 'Cassie, I love you.' Many
times I thought you would, when you looked at me that way... But,
it didn't happen. Instead, you taunted me! You hurt me! Flaunting
your handsome figure about, knowing full well how much I wanted
you."

"I never did that." Clark retorted flatly.

"Oh yes, you did! You tortured me!"

Clark stared at her with an emotionless look on his face. "Do you
expect me to feel guilty for something I never did?" He asked,
his face tensing.

"Guilt? I *love* guilt. I guess you figured out that I played you
like a violin when I returned from the hospital. I must admit, it
was a whole lot of fun, watching you and Lois bicker over me. You
almost broke up then, didn't you? Almost ..." Cassandra looked
down, remembering her second failure. "But you didn't. No, you
*love* her. She's your reason for living!" Cassandra glared at
him, jealousy imprinted in her eyes. "Isn't that what you told
me, once? I've seen you together, you know? I've seen how
*loving* you are. Sickening! With her you're a whole different
person, you don't torture her! You're so loving and caring. So
eager to please. Why, I wonder?!"

"It's called love. True love, look it up." He told her in defiant
tone.

Cassandra gave him a sly smile. "True love? Don't tell me, I
think I've heard about it before. Let me see if I remember--
'It's like finding you heart, a heart you've been searching for
all your life and when you find it, nobody can take its place.'
Did I get it right, Clarkie?"

"On your lips, those words lose their meaning. You'll never
understand. You think I tortured you, that I played with you?
Your memory is distorted. It's all a fantasy." Clark told her in
an accusing tone.

"No, not distorted, it's pretty accurate." She replied with a
girlish smile. "I tried to understand what Lois meant when she
related her definition of 'true love' but I do believe we
disagreed in the end."

"Why did you have to take Lois? What are you planning?"

"Clarkie, one thing about me is that I learn from my mistakes and
with you I've made plenty. For example; trying to capture you
like I did the first time was a mistake. I didn't count on Lois."
She told him with fury in her eyes. "She's very determined. My
encounter with her led me to be isolated in some mental hospital
for two whole months. That was torture. Did you know that my mind
was fully alive? My body failed to respond though. I was trapped
inside a useless body, I felt everything, thought of everything
but I could not do anything about it. I owe that little
experience to Lois. The second mistake; believing that through
guilt and pity I could lure you away from her. You see, I didn't
have all my powers when I came out of the hospital, I had to
improvise. Thank the gods that my mother was with me, she cured
me, you know? Through some artful solicitation, she gathered some
men that could get me my ring back, my "medicine." As I
recuperated, I tried to get you to realize that Lois was not for
you but once again, I failed. And again, I owe that little
failure to Lois."

"She had nothing to do with your so-called failures." Clark told
her in angry, defiant tone.

"She had *everything* to do with them! Her mere existence was a
bad omen!" Cassandra suddenly jumped from her chair, fueled by
pure anger. Clark didn't react. Just as suddenly, Cassandra's
mood changed and she returned to her amiable self. "The funny
thing is, I liked her at the beginning. She had all the qualities
I admired, Perseverance and Independence, I knew she would make a
great addition to my family. That's where my third mistake came
from, I should've made her one of us from the beginning then I
would not have encountered such resistance. Well, after trial and
error, I finally figured it out, I finally came up with the sure
way to make you mine."

"What are you saying?" He asked cautiously.

"Oh Clarkie, you're not stupid. Of course, you know what I'm
talking about. All right, let me show you." Cassandra walked to
the wall, where she found a panel of buttons, she pressed a red
one. "I wanted to spend some more time with you alone, the gods
know that I hardly ever had the pleasure of spending time with
you." Cassandra sighed. "I guess we should just get on with it."

Suddenly six women walked stiffly into the room, all were lined
up in rows of three and in the middle of the rows, Lois walked
oblivious to Clark's presence. Clark immediately stood and ran
toward Lois, as the other women walked toward Cassandra and
kneeled. Clark was beside himself as he tried to bring Lois back
from where Cassandra had sent her.

"Lois! Wake up! It's me, Clark. Wake Up!" He shook her gently but
there was no response not even a twitch.

"You guys never learn." Cassandra stated with amusement in her
voice. "Save your breath, Clark, she cannot hear *you*, I'm the
only one who has control over her." Clark quickly turned toward
Cassandra, to quick for her to notice. Before she knew it, he was
standing right in front of her anger burning in his eyes.

"Let her go, now!" He whispered menacingly, Cassandra didn't
flinch but instead, laughed loudly. Clark was taken aback.

"Clarkie, why should I? Because you say so? Don't make me laugh.
You're a man, you cannot order *me* about. I'm *Queen of the
Amazons.* Do you know what that means? I have unimaginable
powers. Look!" She motioned toward the women kneeling under her
and toward Lois. "My family is complete, I have all the power in
the world! While you have pure brawn, I have the most powerful
mind not to mention all the gods on my side. And you think you
can order *me* about? Cute, really cute."

"You have no right! Let her go!" Clark insisted.

"Oh men, they think they can just lord it over everybody."
Cassandra turned toward her servants and as she spoke, they all
looked up to her, including Lois. "Not anymore. I will rule the
world! We will *all* rule the world! Look at Lois, Clark." She
walked toward Lois and took her hand, almost motherly. "Before
she joined us, she was just an average reporter doing work for an
overrated patriarchal society. She didn't dare dream beyond that,
none of them dared to dream beyond what they had. But then, I
came along. I rescued them one by one. It was simple really, I
didn't have to convince them. Well, I only had to convince
one--Lois. I think she was surprised the night I went to her
apartment wearing a replica of your cape, it was so easy, one
turn of the knob and she was mine. Okay, I'm exaggerating really,
I actually had to hit her over the head a couple of times before
she saw the light. The ring light, that is. And now look at her,
so beautiful, so independent and full of perseverance. I think
she's happy, what do you think?"

Clark could hardly control his anger and yet he knew that at this
moment in time, Cassandra held all the cards. "What do you want,
Cassandra? What would it take for you to let her go?"

"Simple. Only one thing--you."

"Why do you want me? I'm in love with Lois. Besides, I've never
led you on and I never promised you anything. Can't you see
that?" Clark asked hoping to reach her.

"Mmm, such a typical thing for a man to say. I thought you were
an original. Still, Clarkie, you are that thing I always wanted
and never got. I could have the world with one snap of my fingers
but it would not mean anything, if I don't have you. Don't you
see I've done all this for you? I've built an empire, I've become
rich, made myself a queen with followers, just for *you.* If you
ask me, you should be flattered." She smiled proudly.

"I could never love you, Cassandra. No matter what you do, I will
*never* love you."

"We shall see. Submit to me Clark, submit to me and we shall
see."

Clark knew full well what she wanted of him. He knew that if he
agreed to her conditions that life as he knew it would cease and
that he could become Cassandra's weapon for destruction.
Although, he would've traded his life for Lois' without thinking,
he knew that the stakes were high. He decided to call Cassandra's
bluff. "No." He said simply as he stared straight into
Cassandra's green eyes.

"I thought you would say that." Cassandra turned to Lois. "Lois,
do as I have commanded you." As soon as she spoke the words, Lois
produced a gun out of her Greek-like gown, cocked it and placed
it tightly against her temple.

"No, Lois!" Clark yelled as he attempted to reach for the gun.

"No, no, no, Clarkie. Don't you dare touch her." Clark stopped
abruptly, anticipating one of Cassandra's tricks. "One word and
we could be cleaning Lois' brains from the carpet for a week."

"You're crazy. You'll never get what you want, not if I can help
it!"

"That's the thing, Clark, you can't help it. Either you submit to
me or with a word that starts with 'G' and ends with 'O,' Lois
could die. I must tell you, our pledge as Amazons prohibits any
of us from killing one another but we can't help it if any of us
chooses to kill herself. Terrible, isn't it?" Cassandra gave him
a bright smile. "I know you're fast, Clark, but I can speak very
fast and a bullet can shoot out of that gun she holds so
*tightly* to her temple very, very fast. Are you going to take
the chance? Are you a gambling man?"

Clark looked at Lois and the gun she held, he tried to figure out
a way to save her. Although he was the fastest man alive, he knew
he couldn't take the chance, not with Lois. He loved her too
much. More importantly, he knew that Cassandra was not bluffing.
"What if I submit, would you let her go?" He asked, giving up any
chances of freedom.

"Clarkie, trust me."

"Why should I? You've lied to me all along. Why I should I trust
you now?"

"I know I've said in the past that 'trust is a bad thing' but
tell me what choice have you got? Trust me now and I won't let
you down. Submit to me and Lois will go free."

Clark knew she was lying. Yet, he reasoned that she needed Lois
as much as she wanted him and for that reason once he had
submitted, she would never kill her. He also knew that she was
right, he didn't have any choice. "Fine. Do it." He told her,
without a drop of emotion.

"I knew you would do the right thing. Oh look! I have goose
bumps." She turned toward her servants as Lois remained in the
background still holding the gun to her temple. "It's time,
ladies." With this the women stood and walked toward Clark, they
circled him and Cassandra. This was too familiar to Clark, images
of the first time he was hypnotized assaulted him, intermingled
with images of Professor Filakouris. From where they were
standing encircled by Cassandra's servant, he could see Lois in
the background, in a frozen state with a loaded gun to her
temple. He felt his heart breaking. Then, the humming started,
Clark froze in place, he tried to fight it but the music
enveloped him. Cassandra approached him and spoke to him in a
very soothing tone.

"Clarkie, you're mine again. Finally you are MINE." She circled
him, all the while touching his muscular body. "You've always
been my love, my life, my ultimate dream and now I'll be your
love, your life and your ultimate dream. Your present, your
future, your heart, your soul, your body and mind, are all mine
forever." she brought her soft hand to his face, on it her
magical ring glowed brightly with a blinding yellow light. She
caressed his face tenderly and lovingly, all the while repeating
the words-- "My love, my love, my love..."

When it was done, her servants kneeled before her once again,
Clark just stood there without moving, awaiting Cassandra's
command. Cassandra was beside herself, the dream of a lifetime
had come true in one instant, this was more than she had hoped
for. She stood before him, examining her newly acquired reward.
She almost couldn't believe it. She caressed his face, then
traced his powerful torso and gently touched the "S" emblazoned
on his chest, in her mind she knew she had won the game.

"Come with me, Clark." She ordered quickly. Clark did not
hesitate and followed her. The two sat in a large luxurious sofa
in the middle of the room. "Do you remember, how it was before,
Clark?" He didn't answer. "Why are you so quiet?" Once again he
didn't answer. "I guess you're tired. Maybe tomorrow, you will
feel better." She kissed his lips and quickly walked toward where
Lois was still standing with a gun against her temple. Clark's
eyes followed her every move as though they were slaves.

"Lois, drop the gun." Lois did as ordered as Cassandra started to
circle her. "Lois, you are an invaluable addition to my family
but not *that* invaluable. I realized tonight that I really...
Hate you. You've been very useful to me but that's the extend of
it. Now it's my turn to say to you, 'I don't want you anywhere
near us.' I think it's time for you to fly, without Superman, of
course. As soon as we leave for the airport, you will go to this
castle's roof and fly. You will fly for me, your queen, fly for
Clark, *my* king, you will fly and prove your worth. Do you
agree?"

For the first time, Lois spoke. Her voice was different,
emotionless and cold. "Yes, my Queen." She said as she lowered
her head.

"Good. Very good. Now, stand there until we leave. Do you
agree?"

"Yes, my Queen."

Cassandra returned to Clark who still sat motionless. "Clark, my
dear, it's time for us to leave. Monte Carlo awaits!" She
announced happily. "Come, come with me." Clark looked up to her
with love in his eyes. Cassandra felt like melting in those eyes,
she sat once again, next to him. With her jeweled hand, she
started to caress his face. Clark took hold of her hand and began
to kiss it, Cassandra was beside herself. "I knew you would love
me." She whispered as Clark kissed every one of her fingers.

When he got to the finger that bore Cassandra's magical ring, he
looked up and smiled. Cassandra smiled back, not finding it
unusual that he would display emotion, she was too taken by his
demonstration of love. "I dreamed of this." She told him as she
fell deeply under his spell. He continued to kiss her hand and
fingers, Cassandra melted each time his lips touch her skin.
That's probably why, it took her by surprise when he looked up at
her again and simply told her, "I'll *never* love you," while he
took a forceful hold of her magical ring.

"What?! How?!" She asked, suddenly confused and alarmed.

Clark smiled, never letting go of her ring. "Did you think I
would fall for your tricks a second time?"

"How? How?" She continued to ask hardly believing her eyes.

"The real trick was *not* to listen." He started as he continued
to hold her ring threatening to slip it from her finger. "Simple,
isn't it? I couldn't hear you, my mind and all my senses were
occupied with one thing, a thing that simply took over me and
helped me escape your magic. That thing was, Lois. I only had to
focus on her as she stood there, a victim of your madness and
nothing could touch me. You couldn't touch me."

"Impossible!" She insisted as fear began to appear in her eyes
for the first time.

"No, not impossible. It's something you could never understand.
It's called, true love."

Cassandra immediately looked toward Lois, realizing that she
could be the key to her escape. If she could only command her to
get hold of the gun again, she thought.

Clark took immediate notice of her intentions. "No, no, no,
Cassandra. Don't you even think of doing anything to her." Clark
warned as he started to pull at her ring. Cassandra, immediately
focused on him.

"Please, Clark, don't do it. I will be trapped, please let me
live, I'll go away. You'll never see me again. I swear, you
won't. Please, don't destroy me. If you take the ring off without
me having acquired the goddesses' permission, I could be
destroyed. Please, Clark, if you ever cared, please don't do it.
" She pleaded with tears in her eyes.

"I did care, once, but you used me. You hurt the woman I love and
tried to keep us apart. How can I trust you, when I know now the
kind of monster you are?" Clark looked straight into her eyes as
he spoke without emotion.

"I wasn't always this way, you made me this way. It's your
fault." Cassandra insisted as she opted to play one last card.

"Wrong. You created yourself and your fantasies. You still think
you can make me feel guilty? I just realized something, you'll
never stop, will you? You'll continue to seek me. You'll continue
to get in the way of our happiness."

"I'll go away." She insisted, realizing that perhaps she had
pushed Clark too far, that perhaps she had overplayed her hand.

Clark looked back at Lois as she stood like a statue awaiting
Cassandra's command. In that instant he knew he had a choice to
make. He knew that it was either Cassandra or Lois. "Weren't you
going to kill Lois?"

Cassandra looked frightened, she knew she was caught. "I--I, I
was just," She paused remembering the hate she held inside and
once again returned to her arrogant, defiant self.. "Why Clarkie,
I told you to trust me. Me? Kill? Never. I like your little
sweetheart." She smiled her cat-like smile.

"Someone once told me, that 'trust is a bad thing,' I think I've
learned my lesson." Clark looked into her defiant green eyes, the
choice was made, there were no questions left to ask and no
doubts remained. His old college friend, Cassie Jones, had ceased
to exist a long time ago and in her place a monster remained, a
monster called--Cassandra Hathaway. As he glanced at Lois in her
frozen, emotionless state, he didn't hesitate as he quickly
slipped Cassandra's magical Diamond ring from her finger.

As soon as he had taken the ring from her, she began to scream as
though her heart was being ripped from her body. Cassandra lay in
front of him, writhing with pain, her eyes wide open, tears
spilling down the sides of her face. He looked at the ring in his
hand and noticed that it was glowing. Suddenly, without warning,
three beams shot out from the ring. The lights began to take
shape. Clark couldn't believe his eyes, right in front of him,
three goddesses appeared out of thin air. He stood in shock as
they looked down at Cassandra with disappointment in their eyes.
Cassandra tried to reach up to them but the three just turned
their backs and disappeared. She appeared to beg once more but
then everything was silent. Clark looked again at the ring in his
hand. He knew that it had contributed to all the pain Lois and he
had experienced. Without thinking, he let his anger take over him
and with one squeeze, the ring was no more. Immediately, an
explosion took place and a blinding pyramid of colors emanated
from the shattered ring. Cassandra, Lois and the rest of
Cassandra's servants brought their hands to their heads, all
staggered, letting out ear shattering screams. Clark's heart
stopped beating for a moment, he felt as if he were moving in
slow motion as he rushed to Lois' side. Maybe he had done the
wrong thing, maybe destroying the ring had killed Lois. He bent
down next to her, his hand trembling slightly as he searched for
a pulse. He breathed a silent sigh of relief when he felt her
strong heartbeat. He looked at the other women and realized that
they were still alive but his focus was Lois. Clark immediately
lifted her in his arms and flew off, without a backward glance,
straight to Metropolis Mercy hospital.

***

Once they got to the hospital and he had quickly changed out of
his Superman outfit, he soon discovered that there wasn't
anything that the doctors could do for her. At first he had felt
frightened but the doctors told him that she was asleep, a deep
healing sleep and that she would awaken from it when she was
ready. For two days, Clark kept a silent, constant vigil by Lois'
bedside. He never left her, only once did he dare leave her and
that was to call the Metropolis Police, to make sure they had
found the mansion and that they had rescued the six women
Cassandra had kidnapped. More importantly, he wanted to know,
what they had done with Cassandra. They informed him that she had
been transferred back to the Metropolis Deter Mental Hospital
where she remained in a perpetual catatonic state. Clark took a
deep breath and exhaled, he knew better, he knew that right at
that moment, Cassandra's mind was trapped in an useless body
without any hope for relief. He shook his head and quietly walked
back to his love's side.

After two days of anxiety, Lois slowly awoke, her limbs felt
heavy and her head ached. She tried to bring her left hand to her
head, but she didn't seem to be able to lift it, something had a
grip of her hand. She opened her eyes, trying to find the
culprit, it was then that she spotted Clark, slumped on a chair
near her bed, she looked down at her hand and found his hand
clutched around it. "He looks tired," she thought, as she watched
his silent figure. Lois tugged on her hand and said his name at
the same time.

"Clark... ?" Clark immediately opened his eyes when he heard her
voice. "Where am I?"

He smiled at her tenderly. "You're in the hospital."

"What happened? Why am I in a hospital?" Lois wondered a loud.

"Do you remember anything?" He inquired as he gently stroked her
hand.

"The last thing I remember was you. I mean, I thought it was you,
I saw you through my peephole... Then I remember Cassandra..."
She trailed off for a moment as she fought to remember more. "Why
was Cassandra there?" She trembled slightly. Clark tried to
soothe her fears. "I... remember feeling strange as if something
was controlling me...making me do things, say things...and then I
remember pain... excruciating pain as if my head was being split
open and then all I saw was black." She looked at Clark, silently
asking him to fill in the gaps.

Clark quickly filled her in on the events that had taken place,
about Cassandra, their mock break-up, the ring and the reason why
she was in the hospital. Lois stared in shocked horror as she
listened to Clark. It was as if what he was saying had happened
to another woman.

"I don't remember any of it,” she reached out and took hold of
his hand. "Clark, I love. You know I would never-- ever leave you
like that..." Lois said in a small, frightened voice.

Clark reached over and held her in his arms, silently offering
her his strength and his love, "I know Lois, I know," he gently
rocked her. "I know it wasn't you. Never you." She rested her
head against his shoulder and closed her eyes, she felt safe,
protected and loved.

"That's it...No more." Clark whispered as he held her. Lois
lifted her head off of Clark's shoulder and looked up at him.

"No more what?" she asked softly. Clark didn't answer, he only
smiled, kissed her and then pulled away from her.

"Where are you going?" Lois tried to catch a hold of him, but he
eluded her.

Clark collected his jacket off the chair and made a mad dash for
the door, saying as he left, "I'm going to be away for a few
days...But don't worry my parents and your parents will be here
to keep you company." He stood in the open doorway and glanced
back at Lois. "I'll be back in a couple of days when you're due
to check out."

"Clark Kent, what do you think your doing....?" A bewildered Lois
stared after Clark.

Before walking away, Clark gave her a secretive smile. "Trust me,
sweetheart, it's a surprise. Remember, I love you." He then
walked away..

"Clark!" She yelled after him but it was too late, he was already
gone. "I don't believe...I DON'T believe he just did that." Lois
muttered to herself as she stared at the closed hospital door.

***

Later that afternoon, Martha Kent and Ellen Lane walked into
Lois' hospital room.

"How are you feeling, honey?" Martha asked as she hugged and
kissed Lois.

"Fine, Fine...but that son of yours is going to drive me crazy!"

A smiling Ellen Lane kissed and hugged her daughter, "That's what
men are good at, driving us women crazy, sweetheart."

Martha and Ellen shared a furtive glance and smiled at each
other. Lois noticed their shared look and her investigative
reporter's antenna went up. "You know what he’s up to, don't
you?"

"Yes, but we've been sworn to secrecy." Martha told her as she
made herself comfortable in the chair next to Lois’ bed. All the
while smiling at her tenderly. Lois glanced from her mother to
Martha, giving both of them suspicious looks.

***

The two days crawled by slowly. Although her parents, Martha,
Jonathan, Perry and Jimmy made sure that Lois always had company
during visiting hours, she desperately missed Clark. She hadn't
seen him since that day he hurried out of her hospital room. He
had called, but it wasn't the same thing, she *needed* to see
him.

Finally, the time arrived for Lois to check out of the hospital.
She signed all her papers and started packing her overnight case.
She waited and waited, but no one came. "Obviously, everyone had
more important things to do than pick me up." She muttered to
herself as she gathered up her belongings. "Great, just great,
first my fiance disappears on me and now my family and friends
have decided to abandon me." She angrily threw her things in her
suitcase. Just as she was about to wallow in self pity, Clark
walked through the door, as if he hadn't a care in the world, as
if he hadn't been gone for the past two days.

"Hi, honey, ready to go?" He smiled at her.

Lois stiffened as she saw him, "Glad to see you finally decided
to grace me with your presence." She turned back to her packing.

Clark walked toward her and stood next to her, he reached over
and gently brought her chin up, so that she could look at him, he
looked into her eyes and said, "Just trust me, Lois." She fought
to hold on to her anger, but she could never resist those brown
eyes, she could never stay mad at him for too long.

"Okay, but whatever you have up your sleeve, better be worth it."
She handed him her suitcase as she took his other hand.

The couple walked outside all the while holding hands. "Where's
my Jeep?" Lois inquired as she looked through the hospital
parking lot.

"We're not using your car." Clark pulled Lois toward the back
alley of the hospital, after searching to make sure that no one
was around, he quickly changed into his Superman outfit and
picked Lois up, "We're using the Superman express this time." He
told her as he took to the air and flew up into the sky. The
couple flew toward their destination, ten minutes later they
stood in a deserted field.

"This is it...?" Lois looked around her incredulously, all she
saw was grass and trees. "Let me guess, you flew me to the
meadows for a picnic?" She asked sarcastically. Lois looked
around her for a moment. "Wait, this looks kind of familiar."

Clark laughed and pulled her up towards a big oak tree, behind
which Lois' Jeep was parked. "We're going the rest of the way by
car."

"Where are we?" Lois asked as she continued to look around them
seeking recognizable landmarks.

"It's a ..." Clark started but Lois cut him off before he
finished his sentence.

"A surprise. "

Clark smiled, "you took the words right out of my mouth."

"This had better be good." She repeated once again, "I haven't
fully forgiven you yet for not visiting me for the last few days
and you know I *hate* being kept in the dark."

Clark placed Lois' small suitcase in the trunk of the Jeep and
got into the driver’s side of the car. "Oh, believe me Lois..."
He smiled to himself. "This will definitely be good, now just sit
back and enjoy the ride." Lois put on her seat belt and sat back
as Clark put on a tape in the tape player and started the car.

About half an hour later the couple came upon what looked to be a
small town. Trees and small quaint little homes lined the
streets. Clark stopped the car in front of a small picturesque
chapel.

"We're here." Clark announced as he stopped the car.

"This looks *very* familiar. You know, somehow, I picture a lot
of corn. Where exactly is here?" A puzzled Lois looked around
her.

Clark would only smile. He got out of the car and went to Lois'
side, he opened the door and unhooked her seat belt. "Come on."
He gently ordered.

Clark pulled her out of the car and right there, in the middle of
the street with the little picturesque little church in the
background, he got down on bended knees, pulled a gold wedding
band out of his pocket and said: "Lois Lane, would you do me the
honor, the privilege of becoming my bride, now, today, in this
instant?" He grinned as he waited for her answer, "you did
promise you would marry me in Smallville, now it's time to keep
your promise."

Lois' stood in shock as she finally realized what was going on.
"This is what you've been planning all this time? Our wedding in
Smallville?"

"Yes." Clark smiled up at Lois, obviously proud of his plan. "But
you haven't answered my question, yet."

Lois smiled down at him and pretended to mull it over for a
moment, "ummm...let me see...What was that question again?"

"Lois..." He said warningly

"Of course I'll marry you, you big lug head." Lois pulled Clark
up from the ground and hugged and kissed him. "But, I don't have
a thing to wear, all I have is what I have on now." Lois looked
down in disgust at her jeans and tee shirt.

"Don't worry, I've planned everything." Clark pulled Lois down
the street towards the small parish house. He knocked on the door
and a gray haired old woman in her late sixties opened the door.

"Hello, Clark." She smiled and turned to look at Lois. "And this
must be the beautiful young lady that you've told us so much
about." She held her hand out and introduced herself to Lois,
"Hello, dear, I'm Mrs. Doris Hampton."

Lois shook her hand, "Lois Lane, please to meet you, Mrs.
Hampton."

"Dear, please call me Doris." Mrs. Hampton turned to Clark,
"Clark, dear, everything is set up, but Reverend Hampton wanted
to speak to you before the ceremony, he's in his office in the
church, I'll take care of Lois."

Clark smiled at her, "Thank you, Doris. I'll leave her in your
capable hands." Clark turned to Lois, "Doris will show you where
you can get ready, I have a few last minute things to do, so I'll
see you in the chapel in an hour." He pulled her to him, gave her
a quick kiss and left her to Mrs. Hampton's care.

Doris took Lois' hand and pulled her with her. "Come in, dear,
I'll show you where you can change your clothes." They walked
down the hall. "I cannot tell you how happy reverend Hampton and
I are to be finally meeting Clark's Lois. Every time he comes to
visit all he can talk about is you and how lucky he is to have
you in his life." She stopped in front of a large bedroom at the
end of the hall, "Here you are, dear, you'll find your gown on
the bed." Once inside the room, she pointed to one of the two
doors inside, "That's the bathroom, if you want to freshen up,
you'll find clean towels in the dresser by the window." Mrs.
Hampton hurried to the door, "I have few last minute things to
do, dear, so holler if you need anything." With that, she left
Lois on her own.

Lois walked to the bed, where a garment bag was laid out, she
unzipped it and inspected the dress. She smiled when she looked
at the gown, it was exactly the type of gown she would have
chosen. It was a cream-colored sleeveless silk gown. The bodice
was tight, requiring no bra, the dress then fell from under her
breasts in unpressed pleats to cascade behind her in a short
train. It was breathtaking in it's simplicity. The silk veil was
attached to a coronet of cream roses. The brocade shoes were dyed
to match the gown and had little rose buds designed on them. Her
grin widened when she saw her makeup case on the night stand
table near a blue garter and bouquet of pink tinged tea roses.
"He had really of thought of everything." She said aloud as her
smile grew wide.

***

AN HOUR LATER, organ music filled the Mountain View chapel, as a
small group of family and close friends awaited the arrival of
the bride. The flickering glow of candles danced on the
whitewashed stone walls and the stain glass windows, giving off a
very special warmth and intimacy. The beribboned pews were mostly
empty, except for the two front pews, where, Martha and Jonathan
Kent, Sam Lane, Ellen Lane, Lucy Lane, Perry White and Jimmy
Olsen sat. Clark turned and faced the back of the church as the
wedding march, played by Doris Hampton filled the room. He caught
his breath as Lois, looking breathtakingly beautiful in her
wedding gown, walked down the aisle toward him. Lois looked
straight ahead at Clark, "He looks so handsome in his black
tuxedo," she said silently to herself, as she walked down the
aisle toward her future. When she was more than halfway down the
aisle, Clark walked and met her the rest of the way. He couldn't
wait to have her near him, didn't want to wait. They walked
toward the reverend and faced him with joined hands.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in
the face of this congregation to join together this man and this
woman in holy matrimony..."

Lois and Clark turned and faced one another as the reverend's
voice echoed throughout the church reciting the marriage
service.

"Will you, Clark Jerome Kent, take this woman to be your wedded
wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate
of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her
in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep you
only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I will." Clark caught his breath as he noticed the love he saw
reflected in Lois' eyes.

"Will you, Lois Lane, take this man to be your wedded husband, to
live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of
Matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in
sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep you only
unto him, so long as you both shall live?"

"I will." Lois' eyes teared up as she saw the love reflected in
Clark's eyes.

Finally, the time came for the couple to exchange their vows and
rings. Neither had time to write their vows down or even to
practice but somehow they knew that they didn't have to. They
knew that whatever words were spoken came directly from their
hearts.

Clark took Lois' left hand in his. "Lois, I...."He searched for
words to describe his emotions, "all my life I've felt as if
something was missing...as if I was incomplete...like a part of
me was out there somewhere...I think that's why I traveled around
the world as I did...I was looking for it..." He smiled as he
looked down at her, "The moment I came to Metropolis, I had this
immense feeling that at last I was home, as if I had finally
found *my* place. I couldn't understand why, that is, until I saw
you for the first time. The moment I had you before me, I knew
that I had found what I'd been looking for ....the part of me
that I always thought was missing...Call it my heart, or my soul,
I just love to call it my Lois." He smiled and lifted her hand to
his lips. "With you in my life and by my side I know that I'm
finally whole. I love you now and forever." He took Lois' left
and pulled the ring out of his pocket, "take this ring as a
symbol of my love and devotion, with it I pledge my life and my
love to you always." Clark slipped the gold band on Lois' finger.
Lois look down at it, hardly believing that her dream had finally
come true.

Lois took Clark's left hand in hers. "Clark, before I met you I
had given up on true love, I thought that it only existed in
fairy tales. I was wrong..." She paused a moment as she gathered
her thoughts. "The moment I stopped fighting my feelings for you
and took the time to notice you..." She smiled softly at him,
"the *real* you, I realized that true love wasn't a myth...That
in you..." Lois lifted her hand and caressed Clark's face, "my
best friend, my partner, my love, my soul-mate, I had found the
kind of love that people would die for, the kind of love that
poets write about and fairy tales are built on." Lois lifted
Clark's left hand, "I love you now and forever. Take this ring as
a symbol of my love and devotion to you." She slipped the wide
gold band onto Clark's ring finger, "With this ring I pledge my
heart and my life to you, now and always." Lois smiled and lifted
his hand to her lips, gently kissing his ring finger ,all the
love she felt for Clark shone in her eyes. As she gently kissed
his hand, Clark held his breath, in that instant he had forgotten
how to breath, he had forgotten how to be, and he knew then that
he owed his life, his existence, to the only love of his life--to
Lois.

Once all the vows had been exchanged and the blessings given, the
minister smiled at the couple and at the congregation and
announced those long awaited words, "I now pronounce you husband
and wife. You may kiss the bride." Clark leaned over and kissed
Lois softly. It was a warm, drugging kiss, filled with gentleness
and love. She sighed contentedly and wrapped her arms around his
neck--in that moment nothing--no one mattered but the two of
them. Clark continued to kiss her gently on her lips, her nose,
her eyes. Soft, gentle caresses no heavier than dew. Reluctantly
the couple broke apart, they smiled at each other before turning
to face their friends and family.

After the wedding, the small group kissed Lois and Clark
good-bye.

A crying Ellen Lane hugged and kissed her daughter, "Remember as
soon as you get to Metropolis we are renting the biggest hall in
town and throwing the biggest reception that the city has ever
seen."

Laughing, Lois returned the hug. "Okay, mother."

Teary eyed Martha Kent, hugged and kissed Lois and Clark. "Be
happy and treat each other well." She took both their hands in
hers, giving them a silent blessing.

Perry White shook Clark's and patted him on the back,
"Congratulations, son, I was beginning to doubt that we would
ever see this day."

Clark returned the pat and handshake, " I know what you mean,
Perry. Thanks for being here to support us."

Jimmy Olsen, kissed Lois and shook Clark's hand,
"Congratulations, C.K, Congratulations, Lois."

"Thanks, Jimmy." Lois and Clark said together.

Lucy Lane, Sam Lane and Jonathan Kent also bid their happy
goodbyes. The little group then lined up down the church stairs
as they threw rice at the couple. Lois and Clark ran to the Jeep
waiting at the curb. As the car pulled away, Ellen Lane yelled
out, "I'll call the caterer as soon as I get back... we have to
make sure that we can get the Swiss bell ringers and the white
doves..." Lois and Clark laughed as they waved goodbye to the
group.

Lois looked at Clark as he drove, "So, tell me, oh master of
surprise, where are we going now?"

Clark smiled the familiar secretive smile, "Just lean back and
enjoy the ride, it's a..."

Lois broke in before he could finish, "Surprise!" She laughingly
finished.

***

Twenty minutes later Lois and Clark arrived at their final
destination. Clark stopped the Jeep in front of a small two story
cottage with a wrap-around porch. Approximately fifteen yards
from the front door of the cottage stood a smoky blue lake. On
the other three sides of the cottage, the trees grew thick, full
of weeping willows, dark bushes, and ferns.

"Welcome to our little hideaway in the woods, Mrs. Kent." Clark
announced as Lois looked around in awe, as she noticed the lush
bushes and trees. "Do you like it?"

"Oh, Clark, it is absolutely beautiful."

"My grandmother left it to me, it was broken down and in
desperate need of repairs, but dad and I have been fixing it for
the past couple of months." He took Lois' hand in his. "It's my
wedding present to you, this is the place where we can go and
leave the world behind." He paused and thought back to their
little stay on Spencer Spencer's island. "The place where we can
go and just be Joe and Judy regular." He raised Lois' hand to his
lips and kissed it.

Lois threw herself into his arms and hugged and kissed him. "I
love it, I love you." She kissed him again, "Thank you, it's the
best wedding present that anyone could ask for."

Clark swooped her up into his arms and made for the front door of
the cabin. Lois laughed out loud and wrapped her arms around his
neck. "Your palace awaits, M'lady." He unlocked the front door
and carried her over the threshold. Clark set her on her feet,
awaiting her opinion on the cabin. "Do you like it?" He asked
anxiously.

Lois looked around her in wonder, a modern kitchen took one
corner of the cottage, a small dining table with chairs stood
near the kitchen area. A wall was dominated by a stone fireplace.
An oak table, sofa and recliner sat in front of the fireplace. An
oak bookshelf and a chest, with a mini-stereo system stood in a
corner and a large hand-woven cherry red rug covered most of the
wooden floor.

Lois turned and faced Clark, "It's absolutely perfect." She
assured him.

She walked toward the small dining table. "I can't believe it."
She gazed at the food spread on the table. A small wedding cake
sat in the middle of the table, complete with a miniature bride
and groom on top. Next to the cake was a bottle of champagne
icing in a bucket and a bottle of red wine. Two long stemmed
champagne glasses and two wine goblets stood near the bottles.
The covered dishes revealed, a feast fit for a Lord and his
Lady.

"Dinner is served, Mrs. Kent." Clark pulled the chair out for
Lois.

"Thank you, Mr. Kent." She smiled at him and sat. They ate in
relative silence as they gazed longingly into each others eyes.

After dinner, the couple opened the champagne bottle and toasted
each other.

"To my beautiful bride, my love." Clark said huskily as he raised
his glass to Lois.

Lois smiled and raised her glass in a toast. "To my husband, my
best friend, thank you for making all my dreams come true." The
couple clicked their glasses and hooked their arms together,
smiling lovingly into each other's eyes as they sipped champagne
from the other's glass.

"It's time to cut our wedding cake." Clark set his and Lois'
glass on the table and picked up the knife near the cake. He
sliced a small piece of the white icing chocolate cake. He raised
the piece to Lois' mouth. She opened her mouth and accepted it,
smiling she cut a piece of cake and raised it to Clark's lips. He
took a small bite of the cake and put the rest back on the plate,
he reached down and cupped Lois' face in his hands, he leaned
down and gently brought his lips to hers. The couple kissed long
and hard, before breaking apart for air. Clark looked deeply into
her eyes, Lois knew exactly what he was thinking because she was
thinking the same thing. Before she had a chance to make her
move, Clark had walked over to the stereo and popped in a CD.
Immediately, the sweet melodic voice of Natalie Cole filled the
room.

Clark held his hand out to Lois as the music played. "May I have
this dance."

Lois smiled and put her hand into his. "Yes, you may."

"The very thought of you.

And I forget to do.

The little ordinary things

that everyone ought to do."

Clark clasped Lois' body down the length of his. His mouth
settled on hers in soft, teasing movements, lifting then briefly
pressing down to tease her again, as they moved slowly to the
song.

I'm living in ... A kind of daydream.

I'm happy as a king.

And foolish though it may seem ...

To me, that's everything."

The couple floated off the floor as the song continued to play.
Lois stifled a giggle and smiled up at Clark. "What's wrong?" He
asked, suddenly curious.

"Nothing," Lois ran her hand through Clark's hair, "I was just
remembering the first time we air danced and you told me that
*that* was dancing to you."

He smiled down at her and gently stroked her face with his hand.
"Do you know that ever since you said yes to my marriage proposal
my feet have felt as if they hadn't touch the ground once." She
smiled and kissed the hand tracing her face.

"The mere idea of you.

The longing here for you.

You'll never know how slow ...

The moments go till I'm near to you.

I see your face in every flower,

your eyes in stars above.

It's just the thought of you,

the very thought of you, my love."

Clark bent down and pressed gentle kisses on Lois face before
finding her lips. He gently brought them back to the ground. The
couple moved as one to the music while the sound of soothing
violins and a melodic piano filled their modest cottage.

"The mere idea of you ..."

Lois unbutton Clark's shirt, she reached up and pushed the shirt
from his shoulders. Her hands began their sensuous quest,
touching, stroking his wide chest.

"The longing here for you ..."

She leaned into him and started raining kisses on his chest. He
brought her face up to his, opening his mouth over hers, he
kissed her hungrily, desperately, as if he couldn't get enough of
her.

"You'll never know how slow ..."

Not breaking the kiss, Clark reached for the zipper on Lois'
dress. He slowly unzipped the back of the dress. He left her
lips, and rained feather-like kisses on her neck and shoulders.

" ... The moments go till I'm near to you ..."

He pushed her dress off her shoulders and down her arms, he
peeled the gown away until it lay in a pool at her feet. He
explored her then, taking his time, slowly running his hands down
her body.

"I see you face in every flower ..."

He swung her up into his arms and walked towards the stairs. At
the foot of the stairs he bent his head, capturing her mouth with
his. Moving his mouth over hers, he coaxed her mouth to part, she
deepened the kiss, sinking against him. His mouth left hers to
explore the sensitive cord in her neck.

"Your eyes in stars above ..."

His muscle-corded arms held her easily as he carried her up the
stairs toward the bedroom. The bedroom was spacious and was
dominated by a large bay window in one corner and a stone
fireplace in another. The four poster bed stood in the middle of
the room, the curved headboard, straight foot-board and four
dramatic pencil posts with its garden patch puff quilt looked
inviting and comfortable.

"It's just the thought of you ..."

Clark carried Lois inside to the bed. She pulled his body toward
her and he covered her with his body. Raising her chin, he kissed
her fully, passionately, holding nothing back. He opened her
mouth with his and felt her shudder. Her hands and mouth moved
freely over him as she whispered, "*my* love."

"The very thought of you ... My love ..."

***

Just before dawn pinked the sky, Lois awoke. She felt cold. She
tried to snuggle up next to Clark's body, but he was gone. She
opened her eyes and looked around the room searching for him. She
made out his figure on the window seat in front of the bay
window. He was slouched with his eyes closed. Lois pulled the
sheet bunched up at the end of the bed around her and walked
toward him. "Clark?" There was no answer. She walked up to him
and put her hand on his shoulder. "Clark?" She repeated.

His eyes suddenly opened and he smiled at her as he reached with
one hand, and pulled her into his lap.

"What are you doing way down here?" She arranged herself on his
lap, leaning back into his body, as he wrapped his arm around her
waist. "I was cold."

He tightened his hold on her as she snuggled closer to his body,
seeking his warmth. "I was just sitting here looking at the sun
about to rise over the lake and thinking of how lucky and happy I
am at this moment." He squeezed her gently.

She titled her head back and kissed him softly on the lips. "I
know what you mean...I never thought... never dreamed that anyone
could possibly be as happy as I am," she smiled at him, "as *we*
are at this moment." She snuggled closer to his body

They held each other for a moment, enjoying the scenery as they
thought about the past, about what they had learned but most
importantly, they looked forward to their future. Lois was the
first to break the silence. "Awaiting the rising of a new day..."
She gently rubbed the arms that held her, "Our first full day of
married life together, isn't it just beautiful." She told him in
a tone full of awe.

"Yes, beautiful." He said huskily, but he wasn't looking at the
scenery, he was looking at the woman snuggled in his arms. He
brought her left hand to his lips and kissed her ring finger.

"I can't believe how many times and how close we came to missing
out on this happiness. I was beginning to think that we would
never be together." Lois reflected morosely, as she remembered
all the roadblocks that they had to overcome to reach this
point.

"I would never have let that happen, Lois," Clark kissed the top
of her head, "after finding you, do you really think that I would
ever let anything take you away from me? That I would let you out
of my life without a fight?"

Lois stroked her cheek on his shoulder, "Crazed billionaires
turned psychopaths, frog eating clones, amnesia, unethical
doctors, and an obsessed, crazed, hormone driven shrew with
delusions of grandeur. I think we more than earned our
happiness." She laughed as she listed the many obstacles that
they had to overcome.

"None of that matters now, it's all in the past. Thankfully." He
placed his chin on top her head and squeezed her gently as he
gently rocked her.

"Yes, in the past." She whispered. Lois leaned back and lifted
her lips for a kiss. The two shared a long kiss, before breaking
apart.

They sat silently as they watched the sun rise over the lake.

Clark broke the silence. "You never told me what you thought of
my little surprise, was it worth it?"

Lois turned around on Clark's lap to face him, she laughed, slid
her hand around his neck, "I'll let you know in forty or fifty
years," she brought her lips to his as the sheet she held fell
slowly to the floor.

***

EPILOGUE

Somewhere under the bright sun of Monte Carlo, Francesca Hathaway
waited for the phone call that would never come. Dreaming of
seeing the face of a daughter she would never ever see again as
she could never again step on Metropolis soil. If by chance she
would have dared, she would immediately find herself behind grey
bars at the Metropolis county jail. So, on this day, all
Francesca could do was pray. Pray to goddesses who now refused to
answer. All that was left were tears of bitterness for the
lonely, luxury deprived life that awaited her.

"Someday..." she whispered. A simple word but one that carried
the promise of calamity.

THE END