Thanks all for the comments!
Elisabeth - I have mixed feelings on divorce. As a general rule, I believe marriage is forever. The option of divorce is not a "get out of jail free" card and should in no way make the decision to marry easier knowing you can always cash in on the divorce option. On the other hand, there are instances where I believe divorce may make sense. There are extreme examples, like in an abusive relationship. And then there are the fuzzier ones - couples that over time move apart in some way.
I don't believe that divorce should be an easy answer in this case and I think a marriage takes work and you should be constantly vigilant so that this scenario is unlikely to come to light. But when all else fails, I don't believe that staying together because you signed a contract saying you would is the best choice.
When I started this story, it was just a "what if" sort of idea. What if Chad didn't die? And the truth is that I saw young Chad and young Lois as rather perfect for each other and so my what if led to a married Lois. And while I'm still not 100% sure what I'm doing with them (although Lois is starting to lead me to a resolution), I honestly don't see divorce as out of the list of options. But I hope that it will be clear that this is never an option Lois and Chad take lightly, nor is it the easy way out of a situation that is less than ideal.
Tank - Sorry, as much as I said I wouldn't kill Chad off (and I still have no intention of doing so), I'd rather he die than he have an affair. That seems out of character for Chad to me (although, I know you don't like him) and regardless of where things end up, I want the story to end with Chad still being a man who deserves Lois, even if he's not with her in the end.
IolantheAlias - I agree - this story, and Lois' decision would be much easier if Chad were a jerk. But don't expect him to turn into one.
frequentflyer - I'm not sure Lois is settling for Chad, although I will agree that she is struggling right now.
Ann - You always have the most horrible, perverse stories to tell and it scares me a bit how many take place in your own country. Sweden isn't that big a place, is it? According to wikipedia, it is the 3rd largest country in the EU, but it's population is not that much larger than that of New York City (and about half that of NYC + suburbs), but there sure is a lot of activity there, isn't there?
While I won't (and really currently, can't) tell you what happens with Lois and Chad, I can promise they will end this fic as friends at least.
grinch - First off, thanks for keeping open to the idea of Lois ending up with Chad. While I don't know if I'll be able to do it, a tale where Lois and Clark are destined to be important to each other, but not romantically, does intrigue me.
As for only having seven chapters left - notice the "ish" at the end of my chapter count. I'm still thinking it's possible it will end at 35, but frankly, it's becoming less and less probable.
Michael - I'm surprised you were the first person to mention the flight. To me, it was important. Lois' small, miniscule moment of attraction to Clark is significant as it came about while she was living in Smallville. I think while it is not important in the grand scheme of things (I promise, no Lois and Clark kissing is coming up in chapter 29), her reaction to it is another sign of her struggle with being happy in Smallville. It has an impact on her marriage and allows her, however briefly, to act in a way she normally wouldn't.
On the other hand, I'm not sure it's really evil, is it? I mean, really, she didn't do anything!
