Oh David!!! How simply beautiful!! I could feel how crushed he was to learn that his memories were untrue!!

But Lois! She was so understanding and so gentle to break the truth to him, and when he said she wished it were true, my heart nearly stopped!!

Wonderful, wonderful story!!!!

Missy

Wow David - this is amazing! I am really enjoying this story and can't wait for more!

Shells

So sad, Dave, as Clark realises his memories aren't real!

Okay, I think you'd better hurry up and finish part 3 and post it!


Wendy

David...ah mate, you did an awesome job on this part. I was so sad and wished for Clark's sake that his dreams were true.

Please post more than once per week, seeing that you have probably written a significant amount of the story.

I'm loving this!

WOW!! That was so beautiful and devastating! More soon please!

Jackie

Ah ha so you did play with timeline then. Hmmm, interesting. So is Clark remembering a future that hasn't happened yet? Anyway poor confused Clark. I hope she at least sets him straight about Cat! LAura

I'm SO excited.

Good for you, Clark!

I feel SO sorry for him already.

Well done, Dave.

The irony is killing me.

Awwww.

He remembers the woman he loves and food. What DOES this say?

And the ball drops.

You're killing me here, Dave. The angst!

This is awesome. Truly brilliant.

Ouch! That was harsh! Amazing, but harsh! Poor Clark! More of this story soon!

DAVID!!!!!!!!


This is so beautiful!

Ditto what everyone else has said.

Here's an over the top theory:

This is a Clark from an alternate universe where he and Lois are married. The explosion sent him into the alt-world where he and Lois aren't married.

Of course that means that OUR Clark was sent into a world where he's married to Lois and she's pregnant with their baby. I bet that's one happy Clark Kent!!!!!

Wow, Dave! I'm awestruck at this story! I cannot wait to read more!

Having Clark "remember" his married life with Lois is such a fascinating twist! I, too, am dying of curiosity to find out how he's remember something that hasn't happened yet. The alternate universe theory certainly sounds possible, or maybe there's some sort of H.G. Wells shenanigans about to happen?

Your writing of their emotions, especially Clark's (which we feel firsthand) is just amazing. I wanted desperately for him to be right, for him to be married to Lois and have a child together. I guess it can't be true, but... I hope that they will be able to get back on the track to that, at least.

Please, write and post more soon! I can't wait to read it!

Oh, what amazing writing! I still have an ache in the pit of my stomach - I can't believe how much your words actually physically touched me! Poor Clark! Just so devastating! I love that Lois responded to him, showing her feelings for him too. I'll be waiting impatiently for the next part! Susan

This is WONDERFUL!

I have no words. Except the next time I get you alone in IRC, I will be quiet and let you write!

That's it! I have to officially open up and FDK box even though I'm not done reading yet.

/me makes a low groan. Oh noooo. Seriously, I just said that. It totally warranted the opening of the separate browser window.

Me again: /me slaps the bed and hits a roll of scotch tape. SHUT UP! I can't believe she said that. I mean, I picture a typical first season Lois response as 'get over it, get back to work' type thing. But the fact that she said this...well, I have a feeling I'm reading a heck of a lot more into it than some of the other FDKers, but I'm making a huge mental note for future parts.

This part was way too good. I can't even pull myself together to sign my own name.

Everyone has been more eloquent than I can be, but I'd just like to say that I am thoroughly loving your story, David. Beautiful and evocative descriptions, a truly fascinating situation to explore... a lot of goodness all around.

There is only one thing that I am disappointed about: the fact that we'll only be able to partake of this fantastic treat once a week.

Really looking forward to the next installment. Thank you for the reading pleasure!

Very good story. You have me hooked. I want to read more.

So sad. Luckily, you didn't do him see on TV the kiss Lois and Superman shared in front of the reporters just before he go intercept Nightfall.

I feel so bad for Clark... Keep it that way, and you will make me cry before long.

Wow. The amnesia is a good thing for Clark, finally. He would never had said such a thing if he was truly himself. I'm glad he said that to Lois.

So sweet... Really great scene, very emotional.

I'm glad he remember his mother. Clark loves his parents so much that he can't forget them, just like he can't forget Lois. Love is in his essence.

Oh god. I can feel the distress of Clark when Lois told him the truth. He wanted so badly his dream to be true, even if he could forgive himself to have cheaten on her.

Okay, you win. I'm crying, now. That scene is so sad, and so powerful.

Oh, wonderful writing.

And beautiful ending. I wish it were true too.

Please, more soon.

Only once a week?

david i'm really crying here! Is she going to tell him the truth please i can't take it no more

Heartbreaking. Along with what everybody else said... this is so simple but so powerful. You leave me in awe as well as gnashing my teeth in bitter envy

Lois was more vulnerable in this episode, and clearly she's been softening up with this new, more demonstrative Clark.

On one hand, I'd love to see Lois's POV about this, but on the other hand, sticking with Clark makes being inside his head that much more intense. We're getting a fairly clear view of how Lois is reacting, I think.

Next part, please!

PJ

You can't leave people with lines like this! AH DAVE!

Soooo sad and good! More soon!

~Lois Lane Wanna Be

Not so over the top. I had the same theory myself. Although, now I wonder if it could be HG Wells or Tempus playing with the future and past.

Anyway you do it, David, will work for me.

gerry

Very well done and very touching!!!

I suppose that once a week is sufficient...

James

Hi,

Great part.

Amazing story , brilliantly written

I love this story, I've told you that, right? /me sends little men with spears to get more outta ya...

Such an original plotline, I love it! Interesting twist on the amnesia story.

I love this so much. Shows how lost he is about his past... and yet, he's sure about Lois. (course, he's wrong, but he loves her, and that's what matters <g>)

I love it that they kiss so naturally, and she doesn't protest and there's no awkwardness.

Yeah, she does. Nice answer.

Julie

This is so late, but I've finally read this part and WOW! This is great, David!

I know some of these have been already quoted, but I couldn't *not* comment on these lines that stood out to me, awed me and melted my heart!!!!

Poor, poor man! He has no clue. Well, literally, actually . Lois needs to assure him he would never do that, even if she can't base that assurance on proof. He needs to learn the truth, that they're not married and Cat is just a bit of a tease! Yet I don't want him to learn the truth, because his dreams are so sweet and hopeful, capturing that early season 1 Clark Kent that is just so endearing. That dreamer. Ahh... okay moving on now...


This is so vivid! I can picture this moment so clearly, your writing just brings it to life. Beautiful!

His wife! Oh dear god! What are they going to do???? When will she tell him??? But I love this... time is running out, and she is FINALLY letting the moment happen and not fretting about rules and consequences. I love that he pulled back and she followed him and initiated the second and more passionate kiss. I am really really loving this! You build these moments so naturally and understandably, and yet they are such defining, important moments. Such turning points. You can understand him, since we're privy to his thoughts. But through dialogue and action, we can understand her, too. How she talked about reporting with a tinge of regret, that it had ruled her and become so important, she'd somewhere along the lines forgotten to live a little. And now time's running out and.... ::::Sigh::::: it's just so nice!

The cape??? He's confusing kissing her as Superman??? I think, anyway... This is so great!

Turning to mush over here!!

This is heartbreaking! The poor guy! This must be so frustrating! Like winding up in a parallel universe and nothing is the same as you remember it... hmmm...

On that note, I have to say that Chris's theory about two Clarks from different worlds getting thrown back into the wrong world because of the explosion is a really great theory. And on that... made me nice

You are killing me. Seriously.

And what a place to end!!

This was just great. I, too, like how we only get Clark's POV. His mind is so fragile right now, having no memories and rebuilding ones that he discovers are not real. His vulnerability is heartbreaking and I like that we are constantly there, sorting through things with him, and we DO get to see how Lois feels, through her actions and the way you describe her expressions, and through the things she says.

I really can't wait for him to remember he's Superman, or discover it accidentally or however you do it. More soon


~NICOLE

Dave

Sorry I'm so late. This is excellent.

Tricia

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh! Nice!!

The ending, though... ack! Can't wait to see what comes next!

Anna

Hmmmm. An alternate dimension/transplanted Clark? I don't know...

I've been reading this as being the exact situation in "our" universe, with the amnesia from Clark's first encounter with the asteroid - but with this fascinating twist.

If he subconsciously suppressed everything, I'm thinking, he could so very easily also suppress the fact that what he wants out of their relationship is so much more than what Lois appears to want. At this point, they're really only becoming good friends, but he's been in love with her from day one - a long time ago from the point of view of the one whose love is not returned.

The things he thinks he remembers - the wedding, the baby... those could, indeed, be a fantasy. His ultimate dream. Bolstered by their real encounters - the couple of powerful kisses they've shared - to add more realism to the whole thing.

Here he is, essentially a blank slate. He's super, with enhanced abilities. Including those of the senses. Maybe his dreams are very intense, too.

This: was just so... I don't even think I can come up with a word to do it justice, Dave.

I wasn't actually expecting that Lois would react like that. That she'd do anything more than pull away, emotionally, the minute she realized what Clark thought he remembered. I expected her to fumble and deny it, awkwardly. Then what would happen next, I just didn't know.

But this - it's... She's so vulnerable under that tough exterior. Most men, in her experience, would not offer "forever" to her in terms of a relationship. And a child? Again, she could legitimately assume that any man would abandon her in such a situation.

But here - here's a man that is terribly distraught that they're not married - married! A forever thing. And then - then he reacts with real grief when he realizes there's no baby. Almost unable to comprehend, she tentatively asks him how he felt - was he... actually happy about a baby?? And she gets a reply she probably never anticipated she would ever hear from a man. Grief - real and intense grief - that it isn't true.

Wonderful stuff!!

~Toc

Superb

'Wow' never seems to be able to cover it, but... it's the only thing I can think to say.

Wow.

And thank you! To everyone who replied, your comments, theories, and threats brightened my whole week!

Now that's a sign that something worked... your readers go into cardiac arrest!

Can you believe that line almost didn't make the cut for the rewrite? Thank you for pointing it out - it's one of my favourites.

Oh yes, that would have made things much more interesting. <EG>

Thank you!

Wow! That's an enormous compliment! Thanks, Susan!

Nah, you don't really want to do that. <g>

I love you.

I love you, too.

And you.

Nicole... I really love you. <g> Your comments just blew me away. Thank you!

I wanted to quote your whole post, Janet, but this bit...

That's exactly what I was hoping people would interpret from Lois's reaction. That, not only was she already vulnerable in ASU, but being told all that... If I weren't already married... six times... <g>

Now... <g>

Normally, I like to let people draw their own conclusions - makes the story a tad more interactive, but...

No.

That *would* be interesting, but no.

Wouldn't it? <g>

That does sound a little like Zoomway's excellent Counter Clark-Wise .

Boy, that theory sure is popular. <g>

But no, there are no Altworlds, no future Clarks and definately no H. G. Wells - he's far too busy basking in the sucess of his book turned movie 'War of the Worlds'. <g>

There's only one really messed up guy. Clark's "memories" are fake. Based around fantasies he's had and real moments in the series.

And finally...

Actually... Part 4 isn't written. I'm hoping that some gentle nudges might spur me on.

Now... after that I need a little break, but part 3 is coming up soon.

Dave (who wonders if he should worry he gets so much pleasure from failing hearts <g>)

I'm late, but so glad I finally caught up!

And, oh, my heart was breaking for poor Clark in this segment, Dave. And for Lois too. It must be so difficult for her to handle this.

As always, the pure, lyrical rhythm of your words lends such resonance to the emotions you've captured. I think that's the thing I love most about your writing, Dave. The sheer emotion you pour into each segment. Beautiful.

Plus, some seriously WAFFy dialogue.

Liked the way you solved the chiffon question. <g>

Right...thank goodness part three is already up. There is some small pro to catching up later than everyone else.

LabRat