A Between Scene: From Tempus Fugitive

By Jennifer Baker (JijiB@aol.com)

Summary: A "missing" scene from the episode Tempus Fugitive, which shows what might have happened between Lois and Clark before H.G. Wells wiped their memories and returned them to the present.

(Because I just couldn't get this scene out of my head, so I figured I'd write it down, even though it's really short... anyway, here it is)

***

"Miss Lane?" H.G. Wells stepped forward, ready to take Lois back to her proper place in the future.

Clark intercepted him, grabbing his arm. "Wait. Before we go... I have to know for sure. Lois and I --we do -- I mean, everything works out in the end, right?"

Wells looked at him, and smiled, understanding. "Absolutely. I swear to you, you both will have wonderful lives together... *if* you return to your proper time with your proper memories."

Clark let go of his arm, and turned to look at Lois. She, in turn, was watching him intently. "Well, then, I guess we should go," he said.

She nodded. "I guess so." She had left a note for herself, so she would remember he was Superman, but she knew so little about time travel. What if it didn't work? She couldn't bear the thought of going back to the way things were.

He could see the tears forming in her eyes, and he stepped forward, pulling her into his embrace. "You heard what he said." But he couldn't deny the tears in his own eyes.

She nodded again, against his chest. Against the shirt which she knew concealed a red and yellow S underneath. After a moment she pulled back, but her eyes were still damp. "I know. It's just that--I don't want to wait. I don't want to go back to the fear and the uncertainty." Her voice was very small as she finished. "The pain."

He looked down into her face. "Me neither. Lois, these last few hours have been, well, everything I've ever dreamed of. I was always terrified that when I told you--because I always dreamed of telling you--that you wouldn't understand. But now I know that I had nothing to fear. That you are the most wonderful, understanding, caring..." He took a deep breath. "Lois, there's something else I've wanted to tell you. And I know it doesn't matter, because you won't remember, and neither will I, but I want to say it anyway. Lois, I love you. I have from the moment I first saw you."

She smiled, but the tears were flowing again. "Oh, Clark. I... I love you too." As she spoke, she tilted her face up to meet his. As their lips met, they could both taste the salt of the other's tears.

After long moments, they parted slightly, looking into each others eyes. They might have stood like that forever, if a slight cough in the corner hadn't reminded them that they were not alone. Blushing slightly, they stepped apart.

"I, um, hate to interrupt, but we must be going." Wells reached out his hand to Lois, "Miss Lane, if you'll come with me, I'll take you back first."

She nodded in reply. "Okay." As she stepped forward into the time machine, Lois looked back at Clark with a smile. "Goodbye for now, Clark. But I'll see you in the future..."

"I can't wait."

And with a whir and a poof, the machine was gone, leaving Clark alone in the deserted barn.

THE END... for now

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