To make up for my two short ones, apparently my muse decided I had to write a longer one.

Thoughts?

What a smart muse!

Poor Clark. Everyone always wants to kill him. <3 Can't wait to see how this plays out!

I was worried when Lex started talking about the fireworks at the beginning... and yep, he was still evil!

What's going to happen to poor Clark? Kryptonite poisoning? Drowning? Metropolis polluted with K-dust that Superman will have to move out of town? What's Lois going to do when she discovers that Clark is nowhere to be found?

You can't leave us here! <<bites fingernails>> At least, let us know your posting schedule.

Ooh! You've got me hooked. I like that Lois and Clark just decided to start dating (YAY!) and the climictic ending. Can't wait to find out what Lois thinks in the next chapter when Clark stands her up at Antonio's...

(Also, liked the subtle jabs at Luthor throughout this. Makes you realize how much simpler life would be for Lois and Clark if Lex were simply not a factor in it. Of course, I still love Lex, so I guess he's a necessary evil at this point.)

Yummy! You had me at the first line! As per usual I don't have time to read this right now.

Hi, MrsLuthor!

Yup. Poor guy. That bright red cape of his makes him an excellent target, doesn't it?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by VirginiaR:
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I'll probably post every other day or so, depending on how quickly I can get the rest polished and prepped for the boards, plus some personal stuff going one, *especially* this week.

Yup, Lex is always, always, always evil.

Hi Mouse!

YAY! Glad I could hook you in. And I'm *very* glad you like the way I ended it. I think you'll appreciate the way I ended chapter 2 as well...

Yes, Luthor really is a necessary evil. But that's okay, because life for Superman without villains would be boring and make for very short fics indeed!

What a cliffhanger!

Poor Clark!

What did you do to him? Yes, yes, I know, it's not you, it's Lex...

One chapter and I'm already hooked!

Okay?

Ah yes.

Huh.

Oh dear. It’s filled with Kryptonite.

Michael

Edit:

/points at long nfics that have no bad guys at all. Or at least, not in any story-supporting fashion but rather as seasoning/

Sorry, this author can't resist being evil.

Poor Clark indeed! Thanks for stopping in! More soon, I promise!

Yes, quite shiny too.





But, but, but...he told the truth!

And somehow didn't hit any red lights.

"Fish are friends, not food!" Although, maybe one has developed a taste for sushi?

Baby shark.

Tempus?



He stalks lasanga.

Dating Lois was hazardous to his health.

Glad someone caught that!

Oooh, that's a bad habit. Of course, I don't blame you...



So is Lex.

<points to evil author membership card and jacket>

It's not. But I thought the big display rockets were a decent size, at least as long as a roll of paper towels.

Soon. Very soon. I promise.

True. Got me on that point.

No, he only does that when his mind is inside Lois.

Michael

Great start. You got my interest right from the intro.

Lol. That was a cute line.


Awwww....

Oh, right, this makes more sense. The need for a Superman rescue. I had assumed kryptonite in Lex's stick, but for some reason had envisioned the firework exploding as part of the display, then raining K down on the ground. Which, when you think about it, makes no sense, as what would make Lex think Superman would be in the picnic area watching fireworks?

Quite a cliff-hanger here! Please post more soon!



PS - I think the setting sun's rays would have been horizontal, not vertical. No?

Excellent!

Thanks. It made me smile when I wrote it.

Exactly. It's all about the insurance policy. Making sure Superman gets there to be exposed. How do you do that? Create an emergency.

Thanks! Probably more tomorrow!

Oh, right. Duh! Thanks for pointing that out.

OOHH NOOO! Not the cliffhanger ending! What's going to happen next!?!?!

Please post more soon.

I couldn't resist! Arguing with my muse is an excercise in futility.

More is definitely coming soon!

Has it been two days yet? Is Part 2 coming tonight?

Does right now work for you?

I was going to try and hold off for tonight, but I really like the next part so I thought I'd be generous.

Well, Clark only ever does the full-fleged full-court press investigation of Luthor with Jimmy, Jack and Perry because 1- Lois is engaged to Luthor and he wants to stop the marriage and 2- much lower down in importance, he is mad the Planet building blew up and 3 (at same level or a bit higher than 2) they know Jack was framed.

If Luthor had not been plotting to corner Lois into marriage, he would not have bought the Daily Planet, and Clark would not have had much incentive to investigate him. So this scenario seems to work to me.

Thanks, John. That was right along with my thought process on this one too. And without Luthor to completely mess with Lois' mind, Clark could have asked her out much earlier. (No declatation of love to stop the wedding = no retraction = no Lois pulling away = less time wasted.)

Actually the declaration of love, Lois rejection is the main problem. Lois asks him to go to the Kerth Awards banquet with her, and does not in any way say "it's not a date" like she did back in the pilot. Lois has not withdrawn, Clark has just misread her initial shock at his declaration of love.

Plus without the pain of the "I would love you even if you were an ordinary man"/"under the cercumstances I can not believe that" there is just not as much hurt and fear on Clark's part.

I meant she pulls away a little after he retracts his declaration of love. She's about to tell him that she cares for him (he's the reason why she said "no" to Lex). Then he says he was lying and she pulls away, thinking he just wants to be friends.

Yes, the ordinary man thing - that actually comes into play (in a way) in the last chapter of this story. I kind of turned it on its head a bit.

I like how this is starting out. A leisurely time between two friends watching a fireworks display. Than BANG! Everything goes wrong! I was actually chilly as Lois dived into the water to save Superman. Nicely done.

Thanks, Morgana! You know me. Never one to pass up an opportunity to make the reader go.

Finally got a chance to sneak back in here and knew I had to read this story -- love the opening here! Definitely sets up lots of great opportunities to develop things.

Luthor sounded just like himself, going on and on about his dastardly plans. Genius always needs an audience, I guess.

Poor Clark! Hope the Kryptonite doesn't hit him too badly! I know you would have warned me if this was a deathfic! And just when things were looking up for him!

Got to go find out what happens next!

AntiK! AntiK! Are you back for a while now?? Plllllease?

Rule One of Bad Guy Handbook - Also wax poetic about your plans to someone, preferably a minion or a hostage.

No, not a deathfic. I definiately would have warned you in our email exchanges. Thanks for popping in!