Chapter 8

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His mother seeing what he is talking about starts to smile. "No, I guess not. Are your feet cold?" Hiding a smirk by ducking her head to investigate her son's predicament.

"I guess maybe a little." Clark watches as his mother pulls the cover down and around his feet, tucking the cover under his feet. "Thanks, Mom."

Clark closes his eyes trying to focus his remaining energy on healing himself. His concentration jarred when a familiar voice rings out in the stillness.

"Wow, anything to get out of a little work...eh, Smallville"? Lois' voice normally welcome even when ribbing him mercilessly, but at this second not helping.

"Yes, Lois, I got sick just to make your life harder." His voice weak, but still trying to banter with his friend.

"I knew it!" Lois says with a snort. "How are you doing, Smallville? I knew you needed me to hold your hand writing stories, but do I have to hold your hand to keep you healthy too."

"Right now it sure wouldn't hurt." Clark looks up at her with dark rimmed eyes. Pain etched on his face.

Lois looks down on Clark and her face begins to lose its smile. Her brows knit in concern.

"Now that your here, Lois, I am going to run and get a cup of coffee. I'll be right back." Martha Kent gets up tiredly from her post by Clark's bed and leaves the two of them alone.

Lois takes up the vacant post. Reaching out she grasps Clark's large hand in hers. "You had better get well soon. Has the doctor told you anything yet?"

"No, not yet." Clark relishing the feel of her small hand in his. His feelings for Lois have evolved slowly over the past year from friendship to his wanting more. Even though she is abrasive, rude, and bossy...she still makes him feel human. She never lets his ego inflate that is for sure. Leave it to Lois to knock him down a peg or three.

Lois almost exploded..."What! He hasn't even been in to see you? What kind of place is this? You have been here for hours and hours. Have they done anything besides use you as a pincushion?" Lois tried to jump up from her seat, but Clark wouldn't let go of her hand.

"Please, Lois, just sit with me. I don't want to be alone." The first real feelings of fear for himself creeping in to his subconscious.

"Oh, yeah, of course. I am sorry, Clark. I will wait till your mom gets back, then I am going to get some answers." Lois looking angry and ready for battle.

"I am not a story that needs to be investigated, Lois. I would rather you just stay with me. The doctor will be in when he comes in." A wane smile plays on his lips. His eyes scanning Lois' every feature as if trying to memorize them. "I am just going to close my eyes for a few minutes. I am really tired."

"Ok, Clark." Lois tries to remove her hand, but he won't release her. So she sits back down beside him, and for once remains quiet.

Clark closes his eyes, and drawing strength from Lois' presence centers himself. Not sleeping, but looking deep within himself...looking for a way to expand his aura.

Lois sits silently watching Clark. A lone tear escapes and rolls down her face unheeded.

"""

Alarmed Martha's eyes widen and she bolts upright knocking over her chair in her haste to get to her son's side.

"I know, Mom, I love you too. It will be alright. You can't keep me down for long." Clark tries to make his voice light. He tries to laugh lightly and sit up slightly in the bed, but it comes out as a groan. Ugh...Just trying to move makes all my bones ache.

"No he hasn't been in again. I still don't know what is going on." Hugging him the best she can, "I love you, Clark."

"Mom, has the doctor said anything yet? I know I keep going out on you, so I don't know what is going on." Clark tries to smile at his mother to give her some hope.

"I am not going anywhere, Mom." Clark sounding more confident than he felt at the moment. I can't remember ever feeling this bad before. Looking around he assesses his situation. The monitors look relatively normal at least no alarms were going off.

"Oh Honey," Martha clings to him weeping. "I thought I was going to lose you too." Wiping her eyes with the tissues the nurse had given her, Martha smiles wanly at her son.