This is really a quick set-up for the final installment! Any comments? Thoughts? Rotten Tomatoes?

No Jor-El!!!

Seriously, it is a nice setup that was probably needed to keep the epilogue about the Father/Son meetup not exposing the "Boss". Jimmy gets two front page headlines in two days . His head might not fit in the elevator at the planet. If he had gotten the "Boss" exposé...

Nice work since I know you had not planned on putting this much into Clark's recovery/Luthor's disappearance so thanks for doing it. I know I appreciate it.

Mike

This ending makes more sense the 3/3 ending with Jor-El did, as I felt we were left hanging. I'm glad you brought the story full circle to the main characters to explain what happened with everyone, especially Clark.

I love that Clark is as difficult and stubborn as a patient as Lois is. If they ever have children they are going to be twice as stubborn as their parents each are. I'm glad he's going through the charade of wearing the sling; it will help his dual persona.

Yea for Jimmy's career boost. He's not going to be anyone's lackey / researcher any longer with headlines like these. Good for him.

This does raise a couple of questions, though. Jimmy's dad as an NIA agent came out in S3, but I thought this story was set more S1-S2ish. I take it that the events from DWCiftC happened earlier. Or did I have a memory lapse and forgot this story takes place several years after Lois and Clark get married as opposed to months? Perry, Jimmy, Lois and Clark knowing that Jack Olsen is NIA makes sense since they were involved with the initial story, but why was Pete Ross, MD let into Jack's secret identity? Was Jack also let into Clark's? Does the NIA know Clark's secret too?

Still looking forward to the reunion between Jor-El and Clark.

Virginia,

Via PM Morgana and I were discussing(debating) the validity of Jor-El being alive and the planet Krypton not exploding and hence how did Kryptonite get to earth without Clark's ship to suck it along at light speed when she mentioned this being an alternate universe story and that timelines from the series don't have to match up with the story in an AU story.

As for the other questions, some may be explained by the above but the character Dr Pete Ross, his knowledge of Clark's secret, and his penchant for doing favors for his old Smallville buddy Clark showed up in Morgana's "Stranger in Our Midst" when Clark pulls him in to tend to Lois's bullet wound in the arm without reporting it to the authorities. Fortunately I just finished the past weekend so I did not have to dig and dig to figure out where I had seen this before. His and Clark's backstory is fleshed out a bit more in that story.


Mike

This was great!

While I'm sorry that I didn't get the chance to help beta this part, I am pleased that it leave me free to enjoy it for the first time here.

This is a nice wrap and I agree with Virginia in liking that Clark is a difficult patient.

I was a little surprised that Jor-El didn't make an appearance. However, I note that you closed this part TBC, so there still may be more to come.

Very nicely done.
Bob

Wonderful final part. The story feel more rounded and complete. Although ... still waiting for the Epilogue.

Lions and tigers and comments ...oh my!

Imagine seeing all these encouraging comments first thing in the morning!? Well gentle readers, I have to get to work, so I should be able to answer your questions soon.

Great part, Morgana!

I'm looking forward to an Epilogue, with Clark meeting Jor-El...

Mike M


No worries Jor-El and Josca will be making an appearance soon enough.


We have had a bit of fun debating this AU story. So much fun to play with the toys! But as always I put them back in the box, none the worst for wear.

Yes, Pete shows up quite a bit in my stories, he gets a brief mention in Cafe Americana and will play a bigger role in an upcoming fic. Who else could care for Clark's medical needs besides Dr. Klein and still keep the secret?

What a headline for Jimmy! Now he'll be respected as a reporter.

Clark must hate hospitals more than Lois does. I'm sure it's a nightmare for him. I bet he doesn't even sleep while he's in there.

Luthor's disappearance brought to light his real face. If his molecules are not pulverized through space there will be a jail waiting for him on Earth.

Now, where is the epilogue?

Andreia

VirginiaR


Clark is more afraid and unhappy being in the hospital, all those years of hearing about dissection from Jonathan had done their job. But he's cranky! A sling will make the situation more real and protect his secret.

I love first season Jimmy. He was a lot smarter and closer to Lois and Clark than the other one. I would like to think that after the Nightfall Asteroid story he improved enough to have his own byline. Besides with such good teachers as Lois, Clark, Perry and Cat he had to learn something about writing a news story.

Again, this story takes place in an Alternative Universe. Anything can happened! Thanks for the feedback.

Bobbart


Bob you are one of the best beta readers out there. I was anxious and determined to get this part on the boards by Monday. But if you have any suggestions, please let me know!

Never fear, Jor-El and Josca will be front and center in the epilogue.

Thanks so much for the kind words.

Katherine Kent


Oh boy! More pressure to finish this epilogue than the revamped ending of Countermeasures

Will try and get this posted soon!

Sydney and Ultra Woman

Ladies, I hear your cries and aim to please, give me a few more days.

Clark is simply not a good patient! He fears hospitals the way I am afraid of the Dentist only more so. Thankfully Lois and company will keep him calm and quiet.

Thanks for sticking with me!

Hi Morgana! Sorry this is a bit late
ACTION HERO: It’s just a graze! See, I’d don’t even need a bandage. /plumps some mud onto the wound/

Maybe Lois could dress up as a Hot Nurse™ and give him a sponge bath?

Actually… Lex Luthor is alive and something bad happened to Clark. It’s actually pretty basic.





Michael

As the saying goes, better late than never!


Hmmm, funny you should mention Lex ....