What a coincidence, James. I was just thinking I should post here today. Sorry for the long absence. I've got the next part written. It's fairly long. The longest yet. I may actually end up breaking it up and posting it as two parts. If this were any other story, I definitely would. I just have to figure out if it's right to do that with this story.
Anyway, I sent it to my BR a little while ago, but she's been really busy lately. I'm not sure when she'll have time to read it, or if she even will. So, I'm going to give her some time before I go ahead and post part 7. Sorry for the delay.
On to comments...
Maria, thanks for posting.
I'm glad you're still reading and enjoying. As for your questions, I'm afraid I'm going to have to use a stock answer from one of my favorite writers, Kurt Busiek. "Wait and see."
Wendy, thanks for your comments. Very interesting for me to hear, and, of course, I've taken them into account in part 7. I'm also glad to hear that you enjoyed this part. Thanks for letting me know.
Jose, thanks for posting. I really appreciate your enthusiasm.
Tank, thanks for your comments. I tried to address your concerns about Lois keeping the police informed in part 7, but basically it's because people voted for her to do it. I think, though, that it does make some sense. These are unusual times for her. Remember, too, that this is a 3rd season Lois. She has changed a bit.
As for mentioning illegal activities to the police, I'll have to look that over again. I'd missed your mention of that when I read your comments earlier. Basically, though, I think it's understandable. She's talking to an officer who clearly is most concerned about finding Superman and doing the right thing. A comment, off the record, can be expected to be overlooked in such cases. (Okay, that sounded better in my head... Oh well.) Like I said, though, I'll take a look back over it and see what I can do. Thanks.
Tricia, thanks for posting. I'm glad to hear you liked the part so much.
As for Lois's panic/worry, it's been my take that she's been suppressing it, burying herself in her work, forcing herself to ignore those feelings and just trudge on through. It's a reaction more typical of a 1st season Lois, but I think it's reasonable that she'd fall back to that pattern under the circumstances.
Thanks also for your suggestions.
Vicki, I'm honored that you put in the effort and resources. I don't know about you, but printing is a big step for me. Sorry you had problems getting it done, but I appreciate your persistance all the more.
Sorry about the confusion with Dr. Klien's dial tone. I've edited my copy to hopefully clear things up for the archive version. Basically, that wasn't really meant to be anything. It was just a vaguely amusing thing that popped to mind as I was writing. I was just going for an "absent-minded professor" feel, to try to make the conversation a little more fun. So, it's just what Lois said it was. The good doctor suddenly remembered that he was doing something important and time-sensitive somewhere else, and, in his haste, didn't hang up the phone properly. Sorry if that was unclear or misleading.
As for Bob having heard about Lois's break-in, that was also a last-minute sort of thing. A few people said in the comments to the last part that they'd have expected someone to notice *something* about Lois's visit. It seemed reasonable to me. A flicker of something at the edge of the camera, a file put back slightly wrong, something. Nothing definite, but enough to make people running a tight operation like that a little nervous. A nervousness that might become a rumor overnight. Not a wide rumor, but if you know where keep your ears out... It seemed like it might be a worthwhile touch.
Thanks for your other comments and suggestions, which made quite an interesting read. Sorry I can't respond to them as yet. You'll just have to wait and see.
Rivka, thanks for posting, even if you didn't have any suggestions. Glad to hear you're still enjoying.
James, thanks for posting, and for coming back to check. Sorry again that it's taking so long, but I'm glad I've still got your interest.
Ines, thanks for taking the time to post, and to vote, too. I appreciate your participation, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
Anna, comments are welcome at any time. There's no such thing as "late" on that score. Suggestions aren't as useful after the poll's gone up, but they can still be taken into account while writing. They can also sometimes make it into the next part. No one has mentioned a distrust of Sawyer, though, and I'm not sure what to do with that. I can tell you that her name was "borrowed" from the comics. At least one person has recognized that. Originally, I thought it would make for a good cameo, but she's had a bigger role than I'd expected. Not sure what else I can tell you. Anyway, thanks for posting, even if it was "late."
Merry, like I just said to Anna, there's no such thing as "late." I'm glad to hear you're still reading and enjoying. Thanks for posting.
On a more general note, thanks to everyone who expressed sympathy with my little medical adventure. I've had time to get over it and put it behind me now, and I'm feeling much better. The test has been rescheduled, to be done under very different circumstances in another few weeks' time. Hopefully it'll go better then.
Anyway, I should be going now. Thanks again to everyone who has participated so far, with comments, suggestions, votes... anything. It's all appreciated.
Be back with part 7, hopefully soon.
Paul
Which means, of course, that Luthor isn't dead after all. 
) would have written those emails, by the sound of it. 
Hope the next one is better!
