This is a wonderful story, ML! Thank you for writing and posting it.
Count me among those who were suspecting Jason Trask and Bureau 39 of staking out Clark and being the villains of the piece. Preston Carpenter turned out to be a chillingly frightening criminal. The scene in the apartment near the end was definitely a nailbiter.
One of the things I love about your stories is the ease with which you lull us down red herring-strewn paths, then startle us with a surprise that make sense. That makes us smack our heads and say we should have seen it coming. I was also convinced, early in the story, that the reason for Clark's disappearance was that he'd managed to follow Lois back to the future. I love that it turned out Lois got to live her happy ending with Clark in the past. I love his confusion over why she thought he was going to just up and vanish.
The poignant scene with David's happy ending touched me too.
And I thought it was interesting about the possible effects of time travel on Lois' lifespan. This Lois to my mind displayed a more youthful aspect, and her exuberance was refreshing. I admit to wondering if the time travel effect could have anything to do with that.
Another thing I love about your writing is the humor. The Kleins were a hoot. Loved the bit with the future law firm attempting to deliver a mountain of mail. I loved Philip Klein's reaction to a very territorial Superman (go, Clark!) after speculating about Lois returning to the future.
I loved reading the parts where the small, everyday things about life in our present throw Lois for a loop. Her fascination with an ordinary pen. Expecting to find a computer in the hotel room desk. The running bit about how crazy people have to be to drive was funny, especially when at the end she decides she can't wait to try it herself.
And, yay!, the palm computer lives ... while the fertility goddess becomes toast.
I enjoyed every step along the journey, and being a greedy fan, am hoping you've got something else in the works.
-- Lauren
