Chapter 21 by Zeebop

The End

Epilogue: Collared At Work

Monday, Lois Lane returned to the offices at the Daily Planet. Her heart fluttered every time she caught someone staring at the collar. Waiting for someone to ask about it. Wondering what she would tell them.

Part of her had thought about covering it up somehow. A scarf, a turtleneck. Yet in her heart, Lois was a woman with a secret. She wanted them to know.

Of all people, it was Clark Kent that finally asked: "That's an interesting choker. Where did you get it?"

Lois Lane toyed with the ring, tugging gently. "A gift from a friend I met this weekend."

Kent smiled. "Is it serious?"

He had known a few of her other 'friends.' Lois half-suspected he wanted to be one, too—but she had never really thought of him that way. Their relationship was professional, even friendly. She liked to tease Smallville about his small-town sensibilities...and Lois wasn't about to lie to him.

"I think it might be," she confided.

"Well, I hope you're using protection." he said absently...and then looked down, and blushed, suddenly flustered.

Lois cocked her head, curious.

"Smallville, what is it?

He coughed. "Nothing. Just, uh...you might want to stay away from **** for a little while."

The Daily Planet's greatest reporter wanted to laugh. That was just like him.

"Clark, do you know what the odds are against getting pregnant from a single sexual encounter?"

"Do you?" He looked up and raised an eyebrow.

The pale blue eyes stared hard through his glasses. It sent a shiver down his spine.

"You're serious," she said.

"Completely," he stood up, shoulders thrown back—and for a moment his bearing was completely different, almost like—but then he was slumped forward again, those broad shoulders stooped slightly. "Anyway, congratulations."

Lois Lane tugged harder at the ring, one hand moving to rest on her belly.

It couldn't be, could it? I mean yes, of course it could, but the odds...

That was the funny thing, Lois knew. Just because the odds were small didn't mean you couldn't sometimes hit the jackpot.