This part is mostly here to advance the a-plot. Sorry, guys. No smoochies, and not much b-plot. Maybe next time, or the time after...

Chris

Well, we can't have smoochies every time, I guess... But we did have Lois thinking about all of it, and being so distracted that she wasn't paying attention to most of the staff meeting. She's getting sucked in pretty quick into this relationship, isn't she? And it sounds like she's experienced similar relationship woes to our Lois, which makes it all the more overwhelming. Yup, something's going to happen...

Great news about the mistrial. I love the image I have in my head of CJ "trying very hard not to whoop with joy".

It looks like Mayson may be on the "same" side, but I'm going to reserve judgment on that one right now.

It's very simple, folks: the suit. Even for just a couple of days. Because soon his cover is going to be blown, unless Chris has thought of another solution. Hmm...

KathyM

Good solid instalment.

Nice expositional part. You achieved a couple of objectives. First, you were able to more clearly define (for Lois ) her and CJ's growing relationship. And, second, you used CJ's trip back to the office to establish a littel character for Mayson, and led us to believe that she may not be in Luthor's pocket after all.

This was good, you can post MORE now.

Tank (who still has doubts about Mayson since she admits to being more of a Metropolis Star person)

Nicely thickening plot, and hurray, another potential ally!

I'm glad to see Lois wrestling with the soulmates aspect (I don't like it either )as well as the alarm of trying to protect CJ's secret. Great introspection, too, when she realized that the thrill of the chase isn't so much fun on the other side!

Again, this reads much too quickly. That's because it's so good. So hurry up and give us MORE!

Hazel

Hi,

Great part.

It work to have a reporter on his side.

Judith Myerson could be in danger now?

More soon, please.

MAF

Chris, sorry I haven't been posting regularly on this, but I hope you know how much I love what you've done with this sequel. CJ and Lois are great characters, and I love the way you write them.

Like Kathy said..I guess we can't have smoochies ALL the time (well, why not darn it?! )

Good solid plot advancement and I too liked the way Lois was day dreaming at her meeting about CJ. So cute.

Still not too keen on the Mayson as an ally angle, maybe that's because I was never a Mayson fan period!

This story is really great..more soon please!

~Liz

Chris, unfortunately, my time is short so I can't give this the feedback it deserves.

All I can do is say that this was great, and I'm looking forward to the next section!

Irene

Another great part Chris

I too loved the part where Lois was daydreaming about CJ and then she defended him to Perry..... GREAT!!!!

I like what your doing with the A plot, interesting twist with Mayson (let just see where you are going with this.....)

Keep up the great work!!

S (who's already impatiently waiting for the next part!!)

Chris

A fantastic part!
I love her conversation with Perry.

Yay, a mistrial! Great A-plot development!

I'm enjoying this immensely and can't wait to read the next part.

Tricia

Chris,
I can only echo what was said by everyone else.

One little nitpick:
Weren't the jurors bribed to return a not guilty verdict?


Avia

yay, CJ got his mistrial!

as for lois...

nice to see.

just hope that whole strange hostile takeover thing (or is it pressure out of buisiness sort of stuff?) wasn't something important. does sound kind of luthor-esque.

hmm, and we've got mayson. and she's innocent. and she's not drooling over clark and getting in the way. nice.

i like that clark's more concerned about the rescues than about himself. just hope he does find a way to keep his powers.

some good developments here. looking forward to part 10.

oh, and for those who really missed it...

happy now?

Paul

Great part!
/me punches air in enthusiasm for display of superpowers.
Yay. Too bad they aren't permanent, hmmmm?

Artemis

Chris
great part
ditto others
more soon please

merry

Okay, first of all, don't understand how I managed to miss for so long that I still needed to read this.

Anyway, now that I finally got there...still enjoying this one hugely, Chris. Once again, lots of great detail and a fantastic sense of atmosphere. I can see it all unfolding so clearly.

Like KathyM, I'm a little confused as to why the secret identity/Superman solution hasn't occurred to CJ. Is it something I'm missing because I haven't read EMI yet, I wonder?

And poor Mayson. Felt sorry for her. There's a first. <g> Your characters are so expertly drawn, Chris, it's impossible not to get emotionally drawn to them, no matter what side of the fence they are on.

More please!

LabRat

LabRat wrote: Actually yes, you do need to read EMI to understand his reasoning. I had read it, but forgotten something when I commented on an earlier chapter, and Chris reminded me by quoting the relevant section in EMI. It was in the comments to Part 2:
EMI Comments Part 2

So even though I know why CJ chose initially not to don the red and the blue, I still think that he needs it, so I thought that maybe if I called for it long enough it might make an appearance... One never knows

KathyM

Thanks again for the comments!

So... Several people have doubts about Mayson, huh? Now, why on earth would you distrust such a fine, upstanding member of the legal profession?

Watch this space...

The other thing that strikes me is how much people seem to like the b-plot here. Am I right in thinking that a-plot is just filler? If so, there is a lot of filler here!

KathyM: the suit. Ah, the suit. All I'm going to say is that I don't think CJ would look good in blue!

Thanks also for answering LabRat's question for me. Couldn't have done it better myself!

Hazel: I think it's pretty well known around here that I have major problems with the whole idea of soul-mates, so I think it's inevitable that that would feed into the story. Then again, it's also known that I have problems with Wells, and he keeps turning up in my stories!

Maria: you said:

You know, I never even thought of that!

Wendy: thanks for the comments!

No. No smoochies. This is a smoochie free zone.

Just kidding, guys! Just kidding.

There are some more smoochies to come, but they have been carefully rationed so as not to give anyone too much of a waffy high. I don't like to feed people's addictions too much.

Avia: what can I say, other that 'oops!' Thanks for catching that! I've corrected my master, so it will be right when it (eventually) goes to the archive.

Paul: the hostile takeover thing may be something, it may not. RAFO.

Artemis: about the powers -- I'm saying nothing.

LabRat: I meant to say in the last comments folder that that conversation you are eagerly waiting for will turn up eventually.

I'm so glad you're enjoying this.

Yes, CJ does have his reasons for not wanting to be Superman. I think they make perfect sense... but it's obvious that a number of readers would like to see CJ donning the blue and red. As for the choice that CJ makes... You'll find out eventually.

Merry, Tricia, RetroRose, Irene, Liz and Tank: thanks for your comments, too.

Chris (off to ready the next section for posting.)