CC, thanks for the extensive feedback. I was beginning to wonder if you'd just gotten bored with the fic and had bailed. It's nice to see that you came back.

As for your little question, check out this passage from the epilogue.

*****

Lois sighed. "I heard from him yesterday. His shoulder is doing fine, and he said he'd send me a post card from whatever tropical island he ends up on. He knows who you are."

Clark shrugged. "I figured as much. We weren't exactly circumspect about our feelings for each other back there, though I doubt Mamba or Emil made the same connection." He sighed. "No chance of Bill coming back?"

*******

Bill, having known about Lois and Clark's relationship would've made the connection, but the duo aren't really worried about him knowing. As for Hamilton, he doesn't have a prior insight into L&C's budding romance and so wouldn't consider Lois' actions anything more than her joy at seeing the true hero back. For all he knew, Lois could have had something going with Superman before he disappeared. Actually, my own take is that Hamilton probably wouldn't even give the kiss a second thought. As for Mamba, he might have had some knowledge that Kent and Lane were an item, but I imagine he was too cowed and focused on himself at the time to bother to make any connections. Such is the way with true cowards. Their first, middle, and last thoughts are on themselves.

Perhaps at some point in the future, one of both of them would make the connection, but so what? I would imagine that Hamilton could be trusted to keep the information to himself, and Mamba? He's a criminal, probably under witness protection if not in prison. Who's going to pay attention to anything he says at that point?

In my mind, it wasn't a major point of concern for Lois and Clark. It just seemed natural that the couple would be moved by the intensity of the moment to express their emotions despite the small audience they had.

Thanks again to everyone for their responses to this story.

Tank (who will point out that he was careful to 'take out' those who would really represent a danger if they 'knew' Clark's secret)