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(Sorry, couldn't help) :P

Finally posted! Thanks goodness! I thought you handled everything quite well... One typo that threw me for a loop at first -- Pretty sure it should be 'strain.'

I loved Lois worrying about where Clark was and of course, Clark feeling guilty for his lie, and Clark is still dealing with after effects of kryptonite! The stakes are pretty high... I know I'll enjoy wherever you take us from here!

Just please don't let us wait so long for the next post!

I thought that, too, the first time I read it. But then I thought it meant contamination - the stain of the kryptonite poisoning. Either could be right, I suppose.

Arrrrgh! No, it's a typo. Sadly, Susan pointed it out to me days ago and I thought I had fixed it, which is probably why my mind continued to read it as corrected every other friggin' time I've read this story over the past week (I lost count after 50).

It's been fixed now.

You’re back! It’s back!
The story of the year, hmm…okay…month…week? Anyhow, a major headline and she got scooped. By the local television station, to boot!

Insurance for fire damage? Vacuum cleaners? The Metropolis Star?

Wouldn’t it be awkward if it would flutter out from the side of a large pile of ruble that’s glowing slightly green from the inside?

Oh, look. His plan worked.
LEX: Yes, if I had known that all that was needed to get her to come to me was to blow up the Daily Planet… I believe I will have to write a special Christmas bonus for Nigel this year.
NIGEL: Too gracious, sir.

Oops?

They might never find her!

So…let’s move closer to the burning building, then?

Look who’s here.
LEX: Huh, I never realized just how much like Batman Superman could scowl like.

PEOPLE: Lois Lane must be in danger.

SUPERMAN: Lois, I really do think you should come away from Lex Luthor.



Wouldn’t it be awkward if it turned out to be Jimmy and Jack?

That might also be from the knock-out drug Lex has given her via a pin he had glued to his finger when he pressed into her arm.

Ooooooh!

I don’t think we’ve ever seen a fight between Lois and Superman where Lois didn’t know he was also Clark.

To be fair, that’s her usual mode of petulance.

Lie detector?

How does he…? How does Jimmy recognize Clark’s shirts?

Oh boy. Jimmy’s so going to go into bankruptcy from this.

That’s why some people are relegated to repairing singing fish.

Maybe Clark’s playing ‘waterball’ with a couple of buxom beach bunnies?

LOIS: Hmm…turbulence. I wonder if he had beans for breakfast…

Hmmm…wouldn’t it be fun if he just started to change, take a shower and then relax in his Clark clothes and Clark hair, leaving Lois to stand there, mouth agape?
CLARK: You do know that I’m pretty powered out right now, right? And probably vulnerable?

Nah…she knows that he loves Lois like a sister.
LUKE:
JAMIE:
AEGON I:

He does realize that he’s keeping a secret from her and let her know that he’s keeping a secret from her, right?
CLARK: Weak. Kryptonite. Sleep…



She’s quite the little delinquent, isn’t she?

LEX: I blew up a building for her!


DETER:

How Bonny and Clyde got started.

How that he’s likely out of a job, that might be earlier that he might have thought…

But how are they going to say goodbye when they’re both in his apartment?
CLARK: From the couch into the bedroom, of course.

Michael

Another great use of Lex - the creepy appearance out of nowhere, the concern that rings false, the physical descriptions that give away what's lurking behind his words.
LOVED this! She feels that touch - Clark's touch on Clark's spot on her lower back...mmmmmmmmmmm! Done completely unconsciously by Clark, I'm sure, which makes it even better!
The little tift is great because Lois is relating to Superman as her platonic friend - no hero worship, no deference. Even though Superman is right in front of her, all she can think about is Clark.
Deflect! Deflect! At least Jack didn't assume it was Lex's shirt!
Thank god for broken air conditioners. Clark, hot and probably sweaty, lying mostly naked in a Hawaiian hotel bed...ooooohhhh, my mind is wandering to the other sides of the boards!
They've both had an awful, emotional day, so this bit of truth, which Lois would ordinarily hide or shade, slips out. Wonderful!
And so he admits it, too. WAFF!!!
And then the conversation turns back to their comfortable friendship. That they can joke with each other after such a day - draw emotional support from each other in this way...it's just lovely.

Susan, who has read part 8 and suspects that, if they knew what they were in for, readers would rob a bank for Sue to get their hands on it now.

--putting on the black clothing, getting ready to be 'sneaky'. For Part 8? Yeah, totally would do it .

This chapter definitely was worth the wait. Loved it for the creepy Lex moments (in a 'he's so evil, it's SO great' sorta way ), for the suspenseful details that have crumbled the Planet (Lois, knowing Lois, had to show up and be around...I could really see Jimmy, Jack, and her watching/trying to investigate there all day amongst the craziness), and (probably, pretty obviously) for those moments of perfection you create between Lois and Clark. It was a great combination of sinister 'bad guy', B-plot, and WAFFiness galore .


Part of the plan....#1--blow up the Planet #2.--get into 'place' outside to wait for Lois to arrive #3.--bump into her 'spontaniously and act concerned'. Check, Check, and Somewhat Check (due to his hard to hide creepy undertones ).


Second what Susan was saying. This part was yummy. Yearning for the other (Lois) / Acting without thinking to show your heart (Clark). Lovely detail, Sue .


The-Last-Line!!! . How you circle back to one of Lois' rival 'options' from previously in the story (and how it's the one that she doesn't know the name) was so completely enjoyable it me. I was .


This sentence was really great, too. It's so true of a statement, but also, it's so fun of a thing for Lois to think. It's very 'Lois'--that his love for the Planet is an attribute. To her, it is. She would be the person to admire this about him.


--nothing more needed.


Scary stuff here! Eeeeeee. . To be light on powers and stuck in Hawaii is NOT a good thing. Clark, book a ticket, get on a plane, and get back to Metropolis ASAP.


That he draws strength from her, in so many ways. Lovely .


I really adore when a random statement sparks that need to laugh from the other person (in a conversation). It's such a great response--being caught off guard like that--and it works really well here in this part of their conversation.

The back and forth during their phone call...The Person trying to guess who The Recipient of Clark's love is--it is completely fun/playful/exciting/flirty to read. LOVE every second of it!


The ideal exchange. This is awesome, Sue .


And 'Africa' gets my vote for Favorite Supporting Character in this chapter. That detail had me shaking my head, wondering how you came up with the idea to use it, carry it through their conversation. It was amazing! So effective. Totally loved it.


And I'd give anything to be reading that scene! Can't wait for them to finally see each other face to face (but worried some of Clark's fears about Lex finding Lois/etc might be happening sooner than later instead).

Laura (who is feeling mighty desperate to read the next Part....i.e.--which bank needs some 'assistance' ? ).

I'm limited on time tonight, but I so want to acknowledge everyone! Forgive my brevity.

HiddenMoon - I was proofreading! (And not very well, apparently. ) Come back! Or was it that bad that you can't find anything to say? (Actually, I'm kind of worried that's the case since so few people have stopped by.)

Mozartmaid - Thanks for catching my typo. The stakes are pretty high -- and they're going to get higher before it's over.

Michael - Yes, it's back. And you're back, which is even better.

Really? It was really more of a quick spat, though. At least, no one said anything they'd regret later.

He'd better hope that possibility doesn't occur to her!

Bwaaaaa! Now that bit is just ruined forever for me!



Thank you, as always, for making me laugh!

Susan - If Lex is creepy in this part, it's largely due to your suggestions.

Yeah, he had NO idea that he was tripping any mental alarms there.

I wouldn't say that there's no hero worship left in her, just that familiarity with him is breeding a little… complacency.

Oh, I know it is! That was there as a special treat, just for you.

You'll admit to all kinds of things when you're tired and emotionally drained.

/Sue cackles long and hard.

Laura - Don't do anything rash, Laura! Think of your children!

Those are just some happy byproducts of Lex's plan.

Thanks! I'm glad that bit amused someone else besides just me. <heh> Poor Darlene. Maybe, by the end of the story, Lois'll be able to remember her name. Or maybe not.

Thank you for catching that!

One of the apartments I lived in while in college was in this really cool old building. The plaster on the ceiling had chipped off and, to me, it looked like Africa. When I was shading in the details for this part, I made it a water spot instead.

Thanks again, you guys, for leaving comments! As for the wait for part 8, I was thinking to post it on Wednesday before I leave on a mini-break. But I don't want to short-change this part so I'll hold off and give it until next week to allow people a chance to catch up. Yeah, I'm cruel like that. Or, you know, just desperate to hear from you all.

Yes, you're right. It sucked. I think I'll stop reading your story and switch to E.L. James instead.
.
.
.
Actually, I'm kidding... It's just that it's been one of "those" weeks, if you know what I mean... By the time I have a moment to spare on the boards my brain is so crippled that I can barely articulate a sentence in my own language, yet alone in English! :P
Wait, what do you mean with "it's only Tuesday "?!
I swear, when I read this I almost screamed something like "WTF?! Leave her alone!!!": I really wish Lois could slap him in the face like he deserves (and I know she'd want to, too :P)

OMG, he's so sexy when he mocks her like that... Even more than when he hangs around wearing only his undies and a thin, glistening layer of sweat. Well, almost. Sort of.
By the way, would you lend me your Clark for the weekend? By the time it takes to Friday night I would have earned him, I swear!

Greetings!


Ewk! Lex has nothing better planned for Lois than imprisonment. Run Lois, Run!!


It's a very good thing he got out of the area when he did. The prolonged exposure slowly drained his strength. Than he gets to 'sunny' Hawaii and its raining! The man cannot catch a break!


Yeah, that would probably be a really good idea! But in your current state, now is not the best time to contemplate the battle royal that would take place afterwards.

Please don't take too long with the next posting. This is an excellent story!

You know how that last day you have to work before going on vacation? It's hectic because you're trying to finish little projects, and long because you're counting the hours? Yeah, that's me today.

HiddenMoon - I knew it sucked! Some of the time between posts is spent psyching myself up to put the next part out. At first I was thinking you meant "E.L. Doctorow" and I wondered just how wordy I was becoming. Then I realized, no, that's not it. The name was familiar, but I couldn't place it so I did a Google search. Then I alternately laughed and shuddered. I haven't read those books, but I've heard how awful they are. I hope I'm not seriously being compared with her.

I do know what you mean! I'm having one of those weeks (months… years…) myself. My only solace is that today is my Friday.

You know sometimes evil gets rewarded and bad things happen to good people. Hopefully not in this story, but I don't want to discount the possibility.

Yeah, sort of. You get both here since he's wearing only his undies AND teasing her at the same time.

Absolutely! I'll be otherwise occupied this weekend, so I will free him from my closet. I warn you now, though, that while he's funny and sweet and amazing at household chores, he's excessively faithful to Lois. Still, you can probably convince him to hang around in his boxers. He can be excessively accommodating like that.

Morgana - Greetings, back!

She should run! But imprisonment is not what he has planned.

Not yet, he can't.

The fear of that battle is what keeps him quiet each and every time he thinks about telling her.

Thank you! I have the next part ready to go, I'm just hoping to hear from the rest of the gang before I post.

Thanks again, you guys!

Sue,
Just wanted you to know I am still out there lurking, and every time they say "goodbye" I feel their mounting pressure. Looking forward to your next posting because fortunately, (I hope), at some point, you will relieve "our" pressure.

Good morning, SupesFan! Thank you so much for letting me know that you're out there and reading! You've totally made my day. I promise, the next part will alleviate a lot of the "pressure."

Now, as for the rest of you... Come on! When there are over 300 hits on the thread, but only seven people have left FDK, I can only conclude that there are a lot more of you who actually get to this point, only to shrug and turn away. You're killing me! Just say "hi!" I won't bite!** I will embrace you!



**Unless biting is what you're into. Then I could be persuaded.

Haha! 'Hi' Sue Loving the story so far, but then I love every story I've read by you! Sorry for the late & scantly feedback - I tend to read on my breaks, so I'm a terrible lurker

Gotta say, the heat you manage to build between these two? Even fully dressed, in public, while talking to Luthor? AWESOME.

Oh WOW! What a delightful chapter!

From Lois hearing sirens, to Lex accosting her, to Superman protecting Lois, Lois getting increasingly frantic about Clark and finally them connecting what an awesome read! The pace of this chapter was perfect, and kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for whatever is coming next.

I loved how Lois subconsciously recognized Clark's touch in Superman. Or maybe it's her heart that felt it.

The bit about Africa on the ceiling was great. I've seen faces and shapes in water spots and in vinyl flooring that's supposed to look like stone, so that was totally believable to me.

Loved the return to the banter between Lois and Clark at the end.

Sorry for the delay in posting my comments. RL is keeping me busy.

Enjoy your vacation. Hope you are posting part 8 soon.

It is a delightful tale but I haven't been keeping up with the posts*. Just read 5,6 & 7 now. well done.

*wife broke her leg in two places August 1st, so its been a busy couple of months.

Always!



Sooo-ry!

You're welcome!

Michael

Hhiiiiiiiiiiii

Howdy, howdy, howdy!

It's exciting to see some new/old faces in here!

Bean22 - Thank you! I can't even begin to express what a thrill it is to lure someone out of lurking. It's better than chocolate.

Ha! Thanks!

cuidadora - Thanks! I'm glad you're still here and still enjoying the story. I like to believe that it's her heart that recognizes him. There's plenty more banter to come!

Framework4 - Hey! You're still around! I'm sorry to hear about your wife. I hope she's fully mended now.

Michael - Never change!

Lola - Holy heck! I've miiiiiiiissed you! How completely, fantabulously wonderful to see you here again!

My thanks to everyone who's commented. I should be posting part 8 soon.

I'm always here!

Hi Sue! there's a good reason I haven't commented for several parts; it's because I'm busy reading! But now I'm almost caught up and I'll have wait impatiently like everyone else.

I have a feeling Clark is going to have to call in Lois's offer to have his back once the whole truth comes out. Maybe he can remind her that he's not asking her to knock over a liquor store--just to forgive him for lying to her. Hopefully by that point she'll be so grateful that he's not dead from Kryptonite poisoning that she'll be willing to overlook that particular fault. :-)

I love all the interactions between Lois and Superman. He's acting more and more familiar in the suit while she treats him more like "just a friend." Thank goodness he was there at the Planet to save Lois from Lex!

Good to see Jack and Jimmy were there and that Jack hasn't been arrested. Yikes about the Kryptonite buried in the rubble. Maybe Lois and her posse can get it out and away from Lex. /me crosses fingers.

LOL! She totally would! Another wonderful phone call with Clark. The exchange about the theoretical bank heist was hilarious!

I was starting to worry about the water-stain of Africa, but it sounds like he was just feeling the aftershocks of Kryptonite poisoning. I both hope he flies home tomorrow and hope he stays away so that we get more of this witty banter, flirting, and emotionally intimate conversations.

Lex is getting more creepy by the minute. Glad Superman just happened to be around. I think tonight’s phone call was my favourite. They are getting so close to their feelings and Lois’ “would you rob a bank?” Lol

OHHHH. Great part, great comments. And current!!!! I enjoyed the humor too.
r/
Artemis

HappyGirl - I'm glad you're reading!

Yes, he's definitely going to need her help.


Brenda - You're right, Superman is definitely acting more and more familiar in the suit. <heh>


Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it!

Who's to say that they can't have flirting and emotional intimacy in person?


Jackie - I worked hard to slow up the creep-o-meter on Lex, so I'm glad to see it's working.
They are very close to admitting their feelings.


Artemis - Yay! So glad you're enjoying the story!

Thank you, guys! You make my world go round!

I don't know if I should root for Lois to go or to stay. Maybe I'll just root for more UST to happen instead.

Sounds like just the thing a creepy stalker Lex would do.

Ha! One point Kent.

For a split-second I thought they might start doing Bad Lip Reading of Lex.


On the bed, on the sofa, on the kitchen... Oh, you meant... *ahem*

In all seriousness, I love that line. Lois picking a fight with Superman just because she can is so very Lois, and the comparison to Clark as patronizing is hilarious.

Aww. On the one hand, he should be flattered that her gut reaction is to call Clark, and that she's worried for him. On the other hand, quite the pickle he's gotten himself in. Clark's not going to be there to answer the phone.

*winces* Okay, now it's poor Lois. It's more than just a mishap, trying to sort out multiple identities and keep things straight... She's going to be seriously panicked by the time she hears from Clark.

I know he shouldn't too, but wouldn't that just be fun?

Uh, because she's Lois, and that's probably a pretty mild request coming from her.





LOIS: purely hypothetical. By the by, would you mind picking me up some blueprints on your way home? And maybe some big burlap bags with dollar signs on the outside?

Hey, one of them has to have a moral backbone, or else they'd be off playing Bonnie and Clyde.

Again with the banter! So fabulous. I love how the scenario keeps getting worse. Hypothetically, of course.

So many great chapters! I'm feeling like I'm going to hit the end soon... is chapter 10 almost ready??