After a rather lengthy vacation out-of-state with limited internet access I am back! Many thanks to the FoLC's who have sent PM's asking me when the next part would be posted.

Apparently most of those who have commented all agree Lana is a piece of work, but how does everyone feel about Gregory Daae and Jasper (Tempus) Templar? This writer would love to get the reader's opinion.

Since this part would have been posted earlier, it is going up today. It is much shorter than my usual postings, but it should give readers a chance to catch their breath. Part Thirteen will be up tomorrow as per the usual schedule.

When I read this chapter I saw a man with signs of PTSD. Most of the time we associate this malady with combat or some sort of violence but PTSD can manifest itself after any traumatic event and the way the news got to Clark of Lana's betrayal certainly could be considered traumatic. By portraying Clark this way it will take some time before he will be ready for any sort of a romantic relationship with Lois. Lois will need to tread lightly for a while.

Mike

MikeM


Very perceptive of you. Clark has suffered a terrible shock, the absolute last thing he expected to have happened to him. After all, he was going to ask this traitorous woman to marry him. Wayne Irig is correct in saying Clark was tossed over like a dented can of corn, that too will play on his self-esteem.

Lois will indeed need to be considerate of his feelings and be very patient with him on a romantic level. Professionally? That shall be a rather different matter.

I just read everything over the past few days, and am now eager for more!

In response to your question, I find Daae an interesting character. I wonder whether his evilness is basically focused around his business dealings, or if he's like Luthor with the street crime on the side. (Well, obviously his evilness extends to his personal dealings, what with the camp chair.)

Templar doesn't have me quite as intrigued, but I always find Tempus a bit hard to take seriously. I do think it's interesting to see him with long-range plans -- and ones that don't even revolve around Superman!

Hey Morgana ...

I've been wanting to catch up on the boards, and now, finally, I have a bit of time today to let you know how much I enjoyed this chapter .

I agree--that it was very perseptive of Mike to pick up so accurately on how Clark is dealing with the Lana situation. Lana did so many evil things to him and on so many levels--and utmost dumped Clark in front of the world. The hurt, the embarrassment. Eveything. He definitely needs time to process and heal.

I'm really curious why Lana is at Clark's apartment. What's done is done--she'd have to realize that the news would have reached Clark by now. I'm hoping it's just to talk things through, try (even though it makes no sense) to explain to Clark her reasoning for behaving how she did. I'm hoping Clark can get a lot of things 'out there' and release some pent up frustration. But part of me is also a little nervous--Lana knows about Clark, and now Lana is married to someone with a lot of power. Not a good combination!

I'm hoping that Clark can find comfort in Lois' friendship. He needs a friend right now...

Great job!
Laura

AmyPrime


Daae is a businessman - with an evil side. He is dangerous, in some ways more so than Lex because he uses his company to twist the news to serve his own ends. Lana pursued him as much as he pursued her. We shall see how the marriage evolves.

Yup, Tempus can be a little bit much at times, but since he is stuck in this world he is going to do whatever it takes to make it his.

LMA

I really appreciate how you are so consistent with making comments despite a busy schedule! It always makes me smile when your initials flash up on the board.


As I am sure you are aware by now just why Lana showed up. She wanted to end her relationship with Clark because of her husband and she wanted to distance herself from the would be superhero, just in case anything bad might happen.

At one time Lana did care for Clark, but once the luxury and ease of Daae's world beckoned she decided it was better to be the wife of a very wealthy man and have her dreams fulfilled than be the wife of a common newspaper reporter and still have those dreams.

Yes, Daae has a great deal of power and Lana is in possession of an explosive secret -- definitely not a combination that bodes well for Clark Kent.

Morgana posted:



Awww--thank you! You made my day with that comment .

And posted this:



That's definitely what has me nervous! Such a great story!

And--woo hoo! --I see another chapter has posted...

Gotta go
Laura (yeah...you know what I'll be up to now )

Clark got screwed, but he's the one suffering. I really want to know if Lana feels even one ounce of remorse for doing him wrong. They were friends for years, a committed couple for some time, and yet her moral character is so weak that the temptation of a rich and easy life was enough to cause her to throw something real and true away. Sigh...I understand Clark's reaction, but I hope he'll quickly see that getting dumped was the best thing that ever happened to him. Glad he has some friends and family to rely on in this universe, even though his parents are gone.

Groobie


In a word ... no. The previous chapters show that Lana is more interested in material things and status than a real relationship. But at one time she did have feelings for him.


That was one thing which we did not see in the series, whether Alt-Clark had friends to rely on. From what I gather, he did not, which is why H.G. Wells felt so badly for him. The young man was truly alone. So I decided that Wayne and Mary Irig as well as Pete Ross would represent the basis of a support group for him.

I like that he has Wayne to turn to. Very good giving him a support system through him.

Oh, hellllllll NO! Kick her out NOW!!!!