Epilogue: Double Date

"I am not comfortable," Angelica Blaze announced as she stared at herself in the dress.

It was trim, black, hugging the hips and with a skirt that fell below the knee, a single strap over her left shoulder, the right bare. Three inch heels made her seem even taller than normal, and Lois Lane had combed and styled her dark hair into a bouffant. Onyx teardrops hung from her ears, and her purse was an impractical pocketbook that didn't even have a string strap.

"Babe, you look great," Lois said. The reporter opted for a black pants-suit with a bright violet blouse that matched her eyes, two-inch heels that put her about on eye-level with Blaze's collarbone, and a string of pearls. The reporter reached down ran her hand along the curve of her girlfriend's ass. "Tonight is for Lana; if she can just get Kent into bed, I think he'll move heaven and earth for her. Besides, you could use some more friends."

It had taken both Lana and Lois to get Kent to agree to the date; for an absolute bachelor, nailing him down to a time and place was about as difficult as getting an interview with Superman. Lana had to finally break down and ask him to take her out on the pretext that she had been stood up...

...which is how they ended up outside the Italian restaurant, Clark in his sharpest grey pinstripe suit, Lana Lang hanging off his arm in a sparkly red dress that had a slit along the side, three-inch heels, red hair free and shoulder-length, looking for all the world like Jessica Rabbit's unmarried little sister.

"Blaze," Clark said, as soon as he saw Lois Lane's date.

"You know each other?" Lois asked, feeling Angie stiffen on her arm, like a dog coming on point.

"We've...met," Angelica said. "I wasn't expecting you here...Kent."

"Likewise," Clark said back. "When Lois told me about her new...girlfriend...I didn't think it would be you."

"Why don't we continue this conversation inside?" Lana broke in, her eyes going back and forth between the two. "We can put our order in, get a glass of wine..."

Lois had made the reservations; Angelica cowed the maître d' with a glance, and they were settled at a table near the window. Bread came, and the waiter came for their drink orders. Water for Clark, a glass of pinot noir for Lana, scotch & soda for Angelica, and Lois...

"Just water, thanks," Lois smiled and pat her stomach. "I'm avoiding **** for the next few months."

Lana clapped. "Oh my god! Congratulations!"

"I've got an appointment with the doctor on Monday to confirm, but fingers crossed!" Lois said.

Clark mumbled something, his mouth a hard line. He and Blaze continued to glare at each other over the table.

"So...how did you two meet?" He asked.

"Lois came to my club," Angelica said, reaching over to pet the reporter's knee. "We...hit it off right away."

"Love at first sight?" Clark's tone was tense.

"No, I don't think so," Blaze said back. "I think it came later. I'm not...the same person I was, Kent. I've changed."

"Have you now?" He said. "How, exactly?"

Lana and Lois exchanged glances. This wasn't exactly going how either of them had hoped.

"I...Lana, you wouldn't know this, but for a while I had a career as a...criminal. That's how Kent and I know each other. He is well aware of what I've done, and I'm not surprised he doesn't trust me. But I've put that behind me. Lois is more important to me than that."

A muscle in Clark's jaw worked. Lana slid her hand around his wrist, but if he noticed he gave no sign.

"That kind of life can be difficult to walk away from," he said.

"Haven't you ever known someone that made you want to be a better person?" Blaze shot back.

Clark took a breathe...and leaned back in his seat. He stared at Lois, and their was pain and something like guilt in that glance.

"Maybe you're right. I'm sorry for being such a party pooper. I just don't like to see a...friend get hurt."

"Clark, while I appreciate the implication...and I do consider you a dear friend...it's my life," Lois broke in. "I love Blaze. Can't you two call a truce?"

He closed his eyes, just a for a second, as if to compose himself...and when he opened them again he was Clark Kent again, like a consummate actor relaxing into a familiar role.

"You're right of course. I should be congratulating you two. Let's try to enjoy ourselves tonight."

"It's good to clear the air sometimes," Lana said, her blue eyes desperately searching for the waiter and the drinks.

"It is. But Lana, you and Clark grew up together—you have to have some embarrassing stories to share!" Lois said.

They talked, Lois and Lana dominating the conversation, drawing Clark slowly out of his shell. Angelica kept mostly quiet, as the drinks came, and then the food. As they waited for dessert, Lois and Lana disappeared to the bathroom together, leaving their dates at the table.

"It wasn't my idea," Angelica said. "Lois wanted to do the double date. She's trying to get you and the redhead together. Apparently Lana wants you."

"I don't like to make threats," Clark said, "so I won't. If you hurt Lois..."

"If I hurt her, I will deserve whatever punishment you hand out."

He looked at the dickgirl very carefully at that.

"You're telling the truth."

Blaze let her shoulders sink. "I love her, Kryptonian. It's stupid and terrible of me, but here we are."

He shook his head. "Love..." he reached over and stole a sip of Lana's wine. "You think Lana really likes me?"

"Not to be crude, but I think she would gladly have your babies. Have you not noticed how she's been touching and hanging off you all night?"

Clark blushed. "We've been friends for...a long time."

"So why not more than friends?" Blaze pushed.

"It's not that simple."

"That is what I thought, until Lois and I...connected." Blaze said. "You know she calls me 'Angie?' I've caught myself thinking of myself like that, now. Angie Blaze. I run a club. My girlfriend is a reporter at the Daily Planet. She's pregnant. We're looking to buy a house together. It's so strange when I think of it like that..." She shook her head. "My point is, you don't have to...be alone. There's a woman that likes you. See where it takes you."

He looked up. Lana and Lois were on their way back.

"Maybe you're right." Clark told Angie.

"Did you miss us?" Lana said, her cheeks flushed from the wine, lipstick refreshed.

"You know," Clark said with a natural smile. "I think I did."

They said their goodbyes outside the restaurant. Lois watched Clark and Lana walk off together, arm in arm. The redhead was leaning her head against his broad shoulder.

"You think they'll make it?" The reporter asked.

"Who knows?" Angie took Lois Lane's hand and brought it to her lips. "I mean, we did. So there's a chance. In this huge, weird world, what more do we have?"