Wonderful part 1, Kaethel! I love it! And I'm glad you finally posted.

I like how you're using Claude. First having Clark reconize him instantly, while he never even met the guy. Then the whole conversation with Lois... great! The way he changes everything she sais to turn the events in his advantage And then he notices how Clark feels. Poor Lois! /me feels the need to use her 2x4 on Claude, maybe that would help

There's only one thing missing... Where is part 2?????

Come on, you can't let me hanging here till Saturday! Please post more right now?

Saskia

Hi,

Wow! Great part.

MAF

This is great stuff! We'll have to have Wendy play you music more often, if this is what it inspires.

Your portrayal of Claude is great.

Ahem, part 2?

Great stuff, Kae. Does Clark thump him in part two? Well, can but hope.

LabRat (dashing off to read part two and very glad she's a beta. )

Kaethel,
wonderful part
part 2 soon please
merry

Kae, nice little beginning.

We all knew it was Claude and it was fun to see his and Lois' conversation. Lois' confused emotions were very well done. I like how Claude's version of things seemed so logical from his point of view. I half expected him to tell Lois she should thank him for helping to make her the great reporter that she is now.

Since I've finished this part you can post the next one.

Tank (who figures he can give Kae until tomorrow to post the next part since he won't be able to read it until then... wait, he has to work late tomorrow, okay, tuesday then)

Hey..good stuff Kaethel!

Looking forward to part 2!

~Liz

Real tears! Everything to this part was incredibly emotional, and I couldn't help but feel the confusion and pain that Lois was feeling, and it made me cry! I never cry! This was amazing, and I can't believe the audacity of Claude!

But in truth he was right, that even though she denied it, she couldn't forget everything. These were painfully raw scenes and you wrote them with such grace and sympathy. I love your writing and this just cemented that fact.

-Jo

Nice Helene! I am looking forward to the part where she realizes that Clark is the one<g> Laura

Kaethel

WOW! This is excellent.

I can't wait to read the next part. Please post it ASAP.

Tricia

Nice part 1, Kae. You portrayed Lois' confusion about her feelings towards the man who betrayed her very nicely. She still feels the attraction she had for him, which wars against her brain which is telling her he is trouble.

Then Claude tells things from his point of view, treating things as just two people sleeping together because they wanted to, rather than because of a deep emotional attachment. He's just smooth enough to throw doubt into Lois' thought processes about whether he is as big a louse as she thought he was.

I have no idea where this story is heading, but I can make my guesses. With Claude making hints about Clark, it's possible he could become a catalyst that allows Lois to realize she is attracted to Clark, thereby allowing them to get together. Or he could end up seducing Lois again, hurting her even more. Since there's only one part left, I have to go with gut instinct and say door number one.

Any way it goes, it's an intriguing setup. I look forward to Part 2. That comes tomorrow, right?

Kae, I must play my favourite angsty songs to you more often, if this is the result! And, of course, as readers here don't know yet, another such song has grabbed your attention... can't wait to see what comes out of that!

I simply adore this story from start to finish. As others have said, it's a treat to see a well-rounded Claude and to be able to visualise just what went on between him and Lois more clearly. You wrote his own slimy justification so well that at times we almost did find ourselves being convinced - certainly recognising that Lois was very young and naive at the time. But, of course, Claude sees no remorse and believes in a maxim which Lois clearly adopts as her own: all's fair in love and war.

You write Lois so well here; the rush of renewed pain and bitterness when she sees Claude again, the reminder of how foolish and credible she was at the time. It's clear that she feels herself being dragged right back to that awful morning when she woke up and found herself betrayed and humiliated. Poor Lois! Yet she manages to hold her own outwardly very well.

At the same time, I do wonder what Clark's thinking... is he watching what's going on? Is he listening?

Oh, and Claude's comment about Lois and Clark's relationship... interesting!! Any chance that Clark might try to prove him right? Well, a girl can hope, can't she?

POST PART 2 SOON!!!


Wendy

I have one thing to say...

MORE!!!!!!!

This is absolutely wonderful! You capture Lois' perfectly, as Roger said, fighting against the attraction that she knows shouldn't be there.

Can't wait for part 2
Caroline

Jose

Hey guys

I'm sorry, I'm going to keep this short because I'm knackered (loooong day at school :p ). I still wanted to post tonight, though. So apologies for not giving a long and detailed response.

I'm stunned and delighted by the positive response this one got so far - you made me smile and blush and even more eager to keep writing other WIPs, so thanks a lot to you all.

I was glad that many of you felt some sympathy for Claude - okay, sympathy might be pushing it , but I was delighted that Claude's reasoning made enough sense to throw doubt into you (and Lois).

I'm also thrilled that you liked the way Lois reacted: I wanted her to be rocked between strength and weakness in front of him, so I'm glad some of you saw that.

As for Clark's reaction, your questions will (hopefully!) be answered in part 2.

Thank you so much again, Saskia, Maria, Rivka, Rat, Merry, Tank, Liz, Jocelyn, Laura, Tricia, Roger, Wendy, Caroline and Jose.

Kaethel