Oh, I'm so excited that I'm online when this final part is posted! Of course, I haven't had a chance to read it yet, and I may not be able to string together a set of coherent thoughts when I'm done, but I thought I'd at least get the comments folder started in advance, out of sheer gratitude...

~*~*~*~*~*~

A number of happy sobs and tears later...

Wow again! Lynn, this has been a truly marvelous story. The torturous emotions that both Lois and Clark have experienced have been vividly and realistically portrayed. Your descriptions and use of imagery are just exquisite.

Once again, I don't know where to begin to pick out favorite passages. The conversation with Martha was excellent. I loved that when Clark found her in the barn, he hesitated to wake her up, feeling that she deserved to be wide awake and alert when she first saw him.

This was wonderful...
and then, of course, their first kiss and declarations of love. Beautiful.

The conversation was equally incredible. Heart-rending for both of them. I must admit to several anxious moments there, wondering whether this was in fact the make-or-break moment.

But they both learned truths about themselves and about each other, and have come through it stronger - and together. And yes, that's the way most (Tank would say all) L&C stories end, and this one was definitely worth the trip.

And of course I have to quote at least one more passage...
I'd quote the ending too, which I just adore and which ties everything together so nicely, but I think I've probably used up enough bandwidth here already...

Thank you so much for this wonderful story, Lynn, and I certainly hope you are already writing your next one, because we will be expecting one very soon.

KathyM

WOW, Lynn!

Tricia

Oh My Lynn. That was so beautifully writen that it made me cry. I was so wrapped up in the emotions of both Lois and Clark it was as if I were going through it. I loved Martha's little part too. Great job, I hope we see some more like this in the near future from you. Laura

Wow!

Lynn, this was beautiful, and I really hope that you plan on writing more stories. You're very talented.

There wasn't a single false note in any of this.

Irene

Beautiful ending Lynn! And I agree with Irene, you'll have to continue to post stories for us.

Just wonderful.

Congratulations on a great story - I hope to see more from you soon!

Shells

SO I'm at work and I see....HOORAY Part 3!! OK, so I figure I can read it quick and then take time later to reread and savor every word..but then I read this..........

Oh no...

Splendid!

As soon as I got back down to Earth after my original euphoria that not only Part 2, but also Part 3 had been posted since I visited last, I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of this!

This fic was so perfectly balanced all the way through – a great mixture of angst, WAFFs, and powerful writing, which *always* makes a great fic . I love the way that once Lois found out CK=S, she was angry – this, I feel, is perfectly in character and suits her much more than being rationally confused .

The scene with Martha and Lois is also very well done – especially the fact that Martha didn’t tell Lois that her theory was correct outright – perfectly in character!

Losing somebody you love is absolutely devastating – you maintained a very good sense of this in your fic all the way through, and ended up on just the right note – a big waffy sigh!

This is a wonderful first attempt – heck, it would have been a wonderful second, third and fourth attempt had the situation arisen – and I look forward to reading a lot more of your stories in the future I hope you’re working on no. 2!

Sara (who wonders how long she’ll have to wait – not long, she hopes?)

This is just beautiful, Lynn. I love it. So heartwrenching , with a lovely smoochie at the end .

Now you do realize you're supposed to write more, don't you? Looking forward to more!

Saskia

What else can I say?

Loved the whole story, loved the L&C reunion, LOVED the kisses at the hayloft (so WAFFy... <sigh>),...

You had me once again crying, getting angry, sighing, and definitely clapping at the end

malu

Oh, this definitely didn't disappoint, Lynn! As others have said, the Smallville scenes were perfect. I loved Lois and Martha talking, Lois looking for signs that her deduction was correct and Martha steering a careful course between not betraying Clark and not lying for him.

And then the reunion...

Wendy

An excellent final part to a wonderful story, Lynn! Can't wait for your next story.

Kaethel

Very, very nice indeed, especially for a first story and even for a fiftieth story. I trust that this isn't the last time we're going to hear from you, is it?

Nan

Hi,

Great story.

Nicely done.

Tank (who enjoyed the very well crafted story even if it did have a lot of yucky stuff in the ending)

Beautiful. As the other parts.

I wouldn't object on more... if you can write more, that is... this story is perfect on its own.

AnnaBtG.

P.S.:

Well, what can I say? Y'all have been so great and supportive - you've really made my first adventure into the world of L&C Fanfic a lot of fun and really rewarding. All of your positive feedback has been so nice. I really appreciate it.

This whole story was inspired after I'd watched TOGOM in reruns, of course (when are they making those DVD sets, anyway?) and I started to think how absolutely awful it would be to lose someone you loved so deeply, and then how amazing it would feel to discover that they weren't dead after all. I imagined that the feeling of joy would be so great that it would overcome probably any other possible feeling you might have.

Also, I always felt like Clark kind of got a bum rap - whenever Lois finds out about his secret, she always gets so mad at him. But what was the poor guy supposed to do?

I'm finding that I write better when I get inspired by a specific episode, and I have an idea or two floating in my head about some stories I would love to see - one more along the nfic lines! But I think I'm going to spend some time reading some of the fabulous stories already archived first. I wrote this story before reading any other L&C Fanfics, and now that I've started reading some other authors' stuff, I wonder if there is anything out there that hasn't been covered before in absolutely wonderful ways! I'd hate to write something and have y'all say been-there-read-that!

Anyway, I'll be reading and writing and posting. It's so great to find a community like this - great people who share a fun passion! I look forward to getting to know you all.

Thanks again!
Lynn

Oh no, write first what's in your mind, and read the stories of the others after that!

Dear Lynn,

I still consider myself a newbie, but I hope I can give you a piece of advice.

I've been having the same problem before: It just seems like all the good ideas are already taken! I have posted two threads about the issue, asking for help.

The answer is one and simple:

Write what you have in mind. The same idea can be written, re-written, re-written and re-written sooooooo many times and yet every story will be different from the others.
After all, the concept of the 'Challenges' is exactly this.

So don't worry and write what you have in mind, during reading fics!

Keep writing,
AnnaBtG.

YES!
What a great ending...great story! Well done! So how is Clark going to come back from the dead? Can you say sequel?

~L.L Wanna Be

Thanks AnnaBtG, for the advice.

I'm actually really glad that I posted my story BEFORE reading some of the fanfics out there. I've spent the last couple of days reading some stories, and my jaw is on the floor with awe at how good they are! It's actually very intimidating because I feel like these stories could absolutely not be done any better - they are all so good.

I'm torn between the desire to read all of the great stories out there and the reluctance to do so because of the creativity drain it creates! I guess I'll have to find a happy mix.

Thanks!
Lynn

Doubt it. <G> As Anna says, don't let it trouble you. Remember there are - as someone once said - no new stories, only new angles. TOGOM is one of the most rewritten episodes in the fandom, and yet you brought something fresh and original to it just because it was you writing the story and no one else. No one else could have written it just that way and quite like that.

The same applies to just about any story out there. Give any three authors the same basic clay to mold and they'll produce three very different stories, because they're not the same person.

Whatever the idea, with 2,000 stories (and more) out there in the fandom you're probably going to bump up against someone else's story sooner or later. It may be the same starting point, but it will be original to you all the same. And we desperate readers, who can never get enough variations on the Lois and Clark theme, will be here eagerly and greedily waiting to read.

LabRat

And just realised I haven't found time to comment on this finale yet.

Once again, Lynn, this was a tour de force. Packed full of the most delicious detail in every line and paragraph which all added up to a beautifully rich and marvellous atmosphere - I felt quite spoiled. <g>

Wonderful dialogue, superb characterisations, some great, insightful points on the situation and a deeply waffy ending... <happy sigh> what more could a reader want?

WOW Lynn, )

Beautiful story Lynn... Definately can't wait to see more from you. Please write another story soon!

Lynn,
wonderful story
and I agree that you should write more stories
merry

I read this first thing this morning, Lynn! Imagine, I had to wait 4 days and a blackout to finish it! But it was well worth the wait. This was wonderfully done. Hope you have lots more like this in you to share. We'll be here, that's for sure!

Best,
Sherry

This was truly an amazing story and such a fresh angle. I really, really enjoyed it. Yep, keep on coming up with your own ideas. Some subjects we never tire of. And defintely post this to the Archive.

Artemis

Just finished reading al three parts.

Wow....

What a wonderful, wonderful story!

Looking forward to reading more!

I too just finished all three at one go and I am just stunned.. what a wonderful take on the TOGOM ep and it's ramifications. Brava and I hope to see more from you.

Loved this story, it would make a wonderful episode